How to read this story
Politics
Election Watch
Nigeria · West Africa
Voter choice, political competition and democratic accountability
Jonathan: Nigeria will be better if we reject bad character as he decries involvement of the military in elections
Nigeria, since attaining her independence in 1960, has been transiting from one issue to another in the wake of bad leadership, wrong policy choice, overbearing by the executive, electoral malpractice, among others.
The Nigerian former President Goodluck Jonathan has claimed that public office holders will act better if the citizens reject wrong acts from them.
Yesterday, on Tuesday, 18th February. 2025, the former president spoke in Abuja at the public presentation of ‘Reading on Election Security Management’ and Selected Reading in Internal Security Management’ anchored by Solomon Arase, the former Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Jonathan, who ruled Nigeria between 2010 and 2015, proposed the creation of ‘Hall of Shame’ for former leaders who contributed to the woes of the country.
In 2015, Jonathan lost his re-election bid to General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
An election perceived, by many, to have been rigged and marred by underage voting, vote buying, ballot box snatching. Electoral malpractice and intimidation of voters and political opponents.
Nigeria Will Be Better If We Reject Bad Character − Jonathan
He bemoaned the election situation of the country, stating that “people willingly do wrong things because we are in a society where people accept the wrong thing and celebrate those who do the wrong thing”.
“One gets worried when it comes to the Nigerian elections. Just as Arase said, the key actors in the elections are the electoral management body, in our own case, the INEC and the police. And sometimes elections are done anyhow we like,” Jonathan said.
“Why so? I don’t think I can say clearly; it’s because people lack the knowledge. They don’t lack the knowledge. People willingly do the wrong thing because we are in a society where people accept the wrong thing and celebrate those who do the wrong thing.
“And if we go to the level where society will not accept the wrong thing, people will no longer do the wrong thing.
“I believe one day when Nigerians will no longer accept the wrong things and a day, we all collectively say we will no longer accept the wrong things.
“We, the political class, will behave normally. People must reject us if we behave wrongly.
“Maybe, one day, we would have two buildings in Abuja where we will have places with pictures of people even if they are dead and say these are the people who really messed up this country so that their grandchildren will know that their grandfathers were part of the problems of this country.”
He decried the unconstitutional involvement of the military in the electioneering affairs and provision of security during election, highlighting countries like Botswana, Senegal, where the police play pivotal role in maintaining peace and order during elections.
Nigeria Will Be Better If We Reject Bad Character − Jonathan
“In fact, here we overstretch the army. In most other countries, militaries don’t get involved in the day-to-day managing of the elections,” he said.
“In some countries, they use them to manage some strategic transportation, like the Air Force and the army in very dangerous areas, to convey materials.
“But manning polling booths, staying around, the military are never used for that. I just came back from Botswana some months back monitoring their elections.
“It’s a very small country with a small population, so almost all the police officers were used for the election.
“What the military does is that those regular duties that the police officers were doing, including securing the police headquarters, the military took over because almost all the police officers were sent to the field.
“So, the military high command had to post military officers to secure government assets and facilities.
“That’s what they do, and you don’t hear stories. Go to a country like Senegal, which is a West African country, for their election last year.
“Here, we talk about technology, technology, and still with the technology we still have problems. And I said that they use the simplest form of voting.”
A Brief Look Into ‘Post-Presidential Legacy of Goodluck Jonathan’s Nigeria.’
Prior to presidential polls of March, 2015, the Nigerian former President’s profile was not a strong one due to something described as “Accidental President following his succession to leadership after he rose to power when his predecessor and principal, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, died while in office in 2010.
Nigeria Will Be Better If We Reject Bad Character − Jonathan
In 2011, Jonathan shocked the world of politics by winning the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential primary election to run for another term and eventually won it.
His presidency was marred by soaring unemployment rate, crisis and high-degree instability in Northern Nigeria as the activities of Boko Haram terrorists claimed lives, gained momentum and territories, and various degrees of corruptions in high places.
Observing the election situation in March, 2015, GEJ conceded electoral defeat to his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, popularly noting that “Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
His admission of defeat was an unprecedented and bold move in the political realm of Nigeria, which surprised many Nigerians and African political lovers worldwide.
Goodluck Jonathan might have misruled the country ineffectively, but in refusing to hold on to it arbitrarily, Jonathan changed the political narratives of Nigeria.
Since leaving office in 2015, Jonathan also made a remarkable future for himself by enjoying his post-presidency career as a senior statesman.
Jonathan has also received various international awards and been invited to deliver keynote remarks at global conference pertaining to peace-building and enhancement of educational opportunities.
Nigeria Will Be Better If We Reject Bad Character − Jonathan
He is known to be one of the ambassadors and champions of democracy, and has led teams of International Election Observers to many African countries, like Liberia, Senegal, among others. He also led National Democratic Institute for Sustainable Democracy in South Africa.
Prior to the Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, Jonathan was touted to regain his re-election bid to succeed his 2015 successor, Muhammadu Buhari, but declined the offer.
Globally, Jonathan, is portrayed as one of the good people produced by dark and manipulated Nigerian politics. He is also recognized as an exemplary advocate of democracy.
