Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concerns over the accuracy of vote counts conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa, he cited the presence of “ghost voters” in the electoral register as a major challenge to credible elections. Jonathan argued that such discrepancies make it difficult to achieve accurate election results.
He emphasized the importance of integrity among INEC officials, urging them to resist political pressures. According to Jonathan, officials who find themselves in compromising situations should consider resigning rather than manipulating election results. He stressed that without ethical leadership within electoral bodies, Nigeria’s democratic process would remain flawed.
The former president’s comments come in the wake of the 2023 general elections, which faced widespread criticism over logistical issues, technical failures, and allegations of manipulation. Despite INEC’s introduction of advanced technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Results Viewing Portal (IReV), many stakeholders questioned the transparency of the process.
Jonathan also highlighted the growing issue of regional biases in Nigerian elections, warning that such tendencies undermine democracy and prevent competent leaders from emerging. He called for reforms that would ensure fair and credible elections, urging Nigerians to demand better from the electoral system.
In conclusion, he reiterated that the integrity of those managing elections is crucial to Nigeria’s democratic future. Without honest and competent officials overseeing the process, Jonathan warned, the country’s electoral credibility would remain in jeopardy. His remarks have sparked renewed debates on electoral reforms and the need for stronger measures to eliminate fraudulent voting practices.
