Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that Nigeria’s political elite will only improve their conduct when citizens reject wrongdoing.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the launch of Readings on Election Security Management and Selected Readings in Internal Security Management, authored by former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase, Jonathan emphasized the need for societal accountability.
The former president, who led Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, suggested establishing a “hall of shame” to name and shame past leaders who contributed to the country’s challenges. He criticized the nation’s election process, stating that misconduct persists because society tolerates and even celebrates wrongdoing.
“One gets worried about elections in Nigeria,” Jonathan remarked. “The key actors—INEC and the police—sometimes conduct elections however they please. It’s not a matter of ignorance; people knowingly do the wrong thing because society accepts and even glorifies such behavior. But the day Nigerians collectively refuse to tolerate wrongdoing, politicians will be forced to act rightly.”
Jonathan proposed the creation of a public space in Abuja showcasing the names and images of leaders who misgoverned the country, ensuring that future generations recognize those responsible for Nigeria’s struggles.
He also criticized the over-reliance on the military for election security, pointing to countries like Botswana and Senegal, where the police take primary responsibility for securing the polls. “In many other nations, the military is only deployed for strategic logistics, not to guard polling stations,” he explained. “I recently observed elections in Botswana, where nearly all police officers were deployed to the field while the military took over their regular security duties.”
Jonathan further questioned Nigeria’s reliance on technology in elections, noting that despite advancements, electoral malpractice remains prevalent. Comparing Nigeria’s process to Senegal’s, he argued that simpler voting systems might be more effective.
