Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concerns over the accuracy of vote counts in Nigeria’s elections, citing the influence of “ghost voters” and political interference.
Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa, held in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan stressed the need for credible leadership within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He asserted that electoral officials should resign rather than bow to pressure to manipulate election results.
“In Nigeria, you can’t get an accurate count of votes because I believe that we have too many ghost voters,” Jonathan stated.
He urged electoral officers to uphold integrity, stating, “If you accept to be INEC Chairman or a commissioner, you should be ready to resign rather than compromise. Without such people in charge, our electoral system will remain flawed.”
Jonathan also criticized the regionalisation of elections, arguing that it hampers the country’s ability to elect capable leaders. He pointed out that even religious institutions sometimes reflect regional biases in their electoral predictions.
Calls for Electoral Reforms and Credible Leadership
The former president called for urgent electoral reforms, including improved voter registration systems and a transparent electoral process that ensures only legitimate votes count.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Jonathan lamented issues such as logistical failures, delayed voting, and electoral violence, despite the introduction of technology like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC’s Result Viewing Portal.
He compared Nigeria’s election challenges with those of other West African countries, noting that Ghana, Liberia, and Senegal conducted relatively smooth elections with limited use of technology. According to him, the success of these elections highlights the importance of strong institutions and public trust rather than just technological advancements.
“In Liberia, for instance, former President George Weah peacefully conceded defeat, setting a good example for democratic transitions,” he noted.
Jonathan warned that without strong institutions and ethical leadership, technological innovations in elections might not yield the desired results. He stressed that democracy in West Africa must be strengthened through electoral integrity, youth participation, and inclusive governance.
Jega Highlights Political Interference in Elections
In his keynote address, former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega outlined key challenges facing democracy in West Africa, including political interference in the appointment and removal of electoral officials, intimidation of electoral bodies, and deliberate weakening of electoral laws.
He also pointed to inadequate funding for election management bodies and legal loopholes that enable fraud and manipulation.
Jonathan and Jega both called for stronger electoral institutions, transparent electoral processes, and reforms that will restore public confidence in democratic governance.
