Former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed the inaccuracies in vote counts during elections in Nigeria to the presence of ‘ghost voters.’
Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa, held in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan also stated that it would be more honorable for the chairman and other officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resign rather than succumb to pressure to manipulate elections.
He stressed that Nigeria’s electoral system would continue to face credibility challenges unless men of integrity lead INEC, individuals who would rather step down than be coerced into electoral malpractice.
“In Nigeria, you can’t get an accurate count of votes because we have too many ghost voters,” Jonathan said.
“We need credible individuals. As ex-INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega pointed out, political leaders exert excessive pressure to influence elections. If you accept to be INEC Chairman or Commissioner, you must be prepared to resist pressure and walk away if necessary.”
The former President emphasized the need for a robust electoral system to ensure credible elections, where only real individuals cast votes.
He also criticized the regionalization of the electoral process, noting that this deep-seated issue affects all aspects of governance, including religious groups.
“When electoral processes are so regionalized, we will continue to face challenges. Even religious leaders often predict elections based on regional interests, which is not helpful,” he added.
Jonathan called for improvements in voter registration and the entire electoral process to ensure democracy functions effectively.
“If our electoral system is not fine-tuned to a level where the voter card works seamlessly, then what is the essence of democracy?” he queried.
The former President urged Nigeria, as a key player in the West African sub-region, to set an example by conducting clean and peaceful elections. He recalled the logistical challenges, delays, violence, and technical issues that marred the 2023 general elections, despite the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the Results Viewing Portal.
He also highlighted election-related challenges in Sierra Leone and Senegal, including voter intimidation, ethnic tensions, and controversial results, which undermined credibility. In contrast, he commended Ghana for successfully conducting elections with limited technology, emphasizing the role of strong institutions and ethical leadership.
“The Electoral Commission of Ghana and security agencies ensured their elections were free, fair, and transparent. This shows that strong institutions and proper electoral management matter more than the level of technology deployed,” he stated.
Jonathan also noted the relatively smooth electoral processes in Liberia and Senegal, where high voter turnout and peaceful power transitions were achieved despite minimal technological interventions. He cited the peaceful concession of defeat by Liberia’s former President, George Weah, as a positive example for democratic transitions in the region.
He pointed out that countries with higher technological deployment, such as Nigeria and Sierra Leone, have experienced more electoral disputes, underscoring the importance of human integrity in election management.
“The deployment of technology, no matter how sophisticated, cannot replace the human factor in ensuring credible elections,” he noted.
Jonathan called for continued progress in democracy within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to maintain hope among citizens. He acknowledged the setbacks of military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic but expressed optimism about West Africa’s democratic trajectory.
“West Africa has largely transitioned from an era of widespread military rule to one where elections are the primary means of transferring power,” he said.
Jonathan advocated for robust youth participation, strong and independent electoral institutions, electoral reforms, and efficient technology use in elections.
“The future of democracy in Africa depends on addressing the root causes of instability, including poverty, inequality, and climate change,” he emphasized. “Political leaders and citizens must commit to good governance, tolerance, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence.”
