Resign And Leave’ – Jonathan Raises Concerns

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised concerns over ghost voters in Nigeria’s electoral process, asserting that the country is not getting accurate vote counts during elections.

Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa, held in Abuja, Jonathan stressed that Nigeria’s electoral system would continue to suffer a credibility crisis unless people of integrity are appointed to lead the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He urged electoral officials to resign rather than succumb to pressure to manipulate election results, stating, “We must have credible people. Political leaders who are so domineering will pressurise you to do what is wrong; you should be able to resign and leave.”

Nigeria’s Electoral System Flawed

Jonathan noted that until only real human beings cast votes and their votes truly count, Nigeria’s electoral process would remain compromised.

“In Nigeria, you can’t get an accurate count of votes because I believe that we have too many ghost voters. If our systems of electing leaders are not fine-tuned to the level that the voter card will work, then what will be so great about democracy?” he queried.

He further criticized the regionalization of Nigeria’s electoral process, arguing that it negatively impacts free and fair elections.

According to him, religious and ethnic interests have infiltrated the system, making elections more about identity politics than competence.