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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised what he described as an emerging trend of governors and other political leaders from outside a state attempting to influence the outcome of off-cycle elections.

Jonathan made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday while reacting to the outcome of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.

Reports had indicated that about 16 governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, travelled to Osun State to campaign for the party’s candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senior political figures also visited the state in the days leading up to the election, prompting concerns over the level of political intervention in the poll.

Reacting to the development, Jonathan said the growing involvement of serving governors, senior government officials and party leaders in off-cycle elections required national attention.

“While we commend the electoral process itself, there are developments surrounding the election and, more importantly, an emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections that raises concerns.

“The growing practice whereby serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries, accompanied by large numbers of aides and heavy security details from outside a state, converge on states where elections are being conducted, raises an issue that demands national attention,” he said.

The former President noted that similar political gatherings had occurred during the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Ondo states.

He warned against allowing the practice to become normal in Nigeria’s democratic system.

“It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society,” Jonathan added.

Jonathan Condemns Governors’ Involvement In Off-Cycle Elections

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