Former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed inaccuracies in Nigeria’s election vote count to the presence of ‘ghost voters,’ warning that the nation’s electoral system will remain flawed without credible leadership in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan emphasized the need for integrity among electoral officials, urging them to resign rather than succumb to political pressure.
“In Nigeria, you can’t get an accurate count of votes because I believe that we have too many ghost voters,” he said. “We must have credible people. From what (ex-INEC Chairman, Attahiru) Jega said, political leaders who are so domineering will pressurize you to do what is wrong; you should be able to resign and walk away.”
Jonathan stressed that without ethical leadership in electoral management, Nigeria’s democracy would continue to face credibility issues. He urged the country to improve its electoral processes, voter registration, and overall transparency.
“If our systems for electing leaders are not fine-tuned, then what is the point of democracy?” he questioned.
Regional Influence and Electoral Challenges
Jonathan also criticized the growing regionalization of Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that it undermines efforts to elect capable leaders.
“When the electoral process is so regionalized, we are going to have issues,” he said, pointing out that even religious leaders often shape their political predictions based on regional interests.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, he noted that despite the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Results Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency, logistical failures, delayed voting, and incidents of violence affected the credibility of the polls.
He further compared Nigeria’s electoral experience to those of other West African nations, highlighting the smooth and largely credible elections in Ghana, Liberia, and Senegal despite their limited use of technology.
“In these countries, the processes were generally peaceful, transparent, and credible with high voter turnout,” he said, noting that Ghana’s Electoral Commission and security agencies ensured a smooth transition of power.
By contrast, he argued that in countries like Nigeria and Sierra Leone, where more technology was deployed, elections were marred by agitations, legal battles, and political tensions.
“This development underscores the place of the human element in deepening democracy. Technology alone, no matter how sophisticated, will not deliver credible elections without the proven will of the authorities and citizens to do the right thing,” Jonathan added.
Strengthening Democracy in West Africa
Despite setbacks, including recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Jonathan praised West Africa’s gradual shift toward democratic governance.
“The fact that military regimes are now treated as an aberration within ECOWAS speaks to this progression and highlights our people’s determination to embrace democracy as a way of life,” he noted.
He called for stronger youth participation, electoral reforms, and independent electoral institutions, stressing that Africa’s democratic future depends on addressing root causes of instability, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.
“Political leaders and citizens alike must commit to good governance, tolerance, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence,” he advised.
Jega Highlights Electoral Manipulation Tactics
Delivering a keynote address, former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega outlined major challenges hindering democratic progress in West Africa, including:
Political interference in the appointment and removal of electoral commissioners
Intimidation of election officials to influence outcomes
Obstruction of electoral reforms that could strengthen transparency
Weak regulations on campaign financing and voter registration
Strategic changes to electoral laws that benefit incumbents
Deliberate withholding of funds from electoral bodies to limit their operations
Jonathan’s remarks come amid ongoing debates on electoral integrity, highlighting the need for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
