Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has called for urgent reforms to the country’s electoral system, warning that flaws in the way institutions are run continue to undermine democracy.
Speaking at the National Action Plan for Electoral Reform Dialogue in Abuja on Wednesday, Jonathan—represented by Ann Iyonu, executive director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation—acknowledged progress since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999 but said persistent weaknesses risk eroding public trust.
“Nigeria has made notable progress since our return to democratic rule, but we must acknowledge that our electoral system still faces significant challenges,” he said. “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.”
Jonathan urged a complete overhaul of how the chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is appointed, suggesting that an independent panel drawn from the judiciary, civil society, academia and trade unions should be responsible for screening and nomination. “Credibility of elections rests heavily on the neutrality and competence of INEC,” he said. “This reform will reduce perceptions of bias, promote trust, and enhance the legitimacy of decisions.”
He also criticised the rising trend of political defections – which he described as “cross-cupping” – where elected officials switch parties without consequence. Jonathan called for the creation of an Office of the Registrar of Political Parties with powers to regulate party operations and declare the seats of defectors vacant. He cited Kenya and Malawi as examples where similar systems had worked, stressing that “the electoral mandate belongs to the people, not to individual ambition.”
On post-election disputes, Jonathan urged that all cases be resolved before candidates are sworn in, arguing that allowing individuals with pending cases to assume office only for courts to later remove them “undermines governance and public confidence.” He also proposed streamlining the judicial process by limiting the number of courts that handle election petitions, particularly in presidential and governorship contests.
“Democracy is not just about casting ballots,” he concluded. “It is about building institutions, promoting accountability, and protecting citizens. These reforms are not partisan. They are patriotic.”
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sought to quash speculation over its 2027 presidential ticket. Party spokesman Debo Ologunagba said Jonathan remained a member of the PDP but stopped short of commenting on his possible candidacy. “We have exceedingly qualified individuals,” he said, citing Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde as one of the party’s “poster boys” for performance and leadership.
