Jonathan Calls for Electoral Reforms to Strengthen Democracy

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged urgent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system, stressing the need for a more credible process in appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman and curbing political defections.

Speaking at a dialogue on electoral reform, Jonathan said Nigeria has made progress since 1999 but still struggles with flaws that weaken public trust.

“If we are truly committed to democracy, we must be bold enough to reform the process to better reflect the will of the people and the principles of justice, accountability, and inclusion,” he stated.

Jonathan recommended that the INEC Chairman’s appointment be handled by an independent panel involving the judiciary, civil society, academia, and professional bodies.

According to him, this would “reduce perceptions of bias, promote public trust in INEC, and enhance the legitimacy of its decisions.”

He also condemned the rising trend of politicians switching parties without accountability, describing it as a threat to party stability. To tackle this, he proposed the creation of an Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, empowered to regulate party activities and declare the seat of defectors vacant.

On election disputes, Jonathan advised that all cases be resolved before winners are sworn in, warning that delayed judgments undermine governance. He further suggested limiting the number of courts handling electoral petitions to speed up decisions.

Closing his remarks, Jonathan emphasised that electoral reform is about nation-building, not partisanship.

“Democracy is not just about casting ballots. It is about building institutions, promoting accountability, and protecting citizens,” he said.