• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Monday, June 2, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Jonathan, Jega Condemn Political Influence In Electoral Appointments

by Ruth Nwokwu
3 months ago
in Politics
Jonathan
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega have raised concerns over political interference in the appointments of electoral commissioners.

Advertisement

Jonathan and Jega expressed their displeasure on Tuesday when they addressed attendees at a conference hosted by the pro-democracy and advocacy organisation Yiaga Africa, in Abuja.

At the event titled ‘Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa,’ Jonathan said, “In Nigeria, you can’t get an accurate count of votes because I believe that we have too many ghost voters.

“We must have credible people. From what (ex-INEC Chairman, Attahiru) Jega said, political leaders who are so domineering will pressurise you to do what is wrong; you should be able to resign and leave. You should be able to resign and walk away, please.

“If we don’t have this kind of people, then we are in trouble. And I don’t want any INEC official to say I was pressurised. If you are accepting to be Chairman of INEC or to be a commissioner of INEC, then you should be ready to say, ‘If I’m pressurised to do what is wrong, I will take care of the democratic people and walk away’.

RELATED

PICTORIAL: Accident Claims 19 Lives Of Kano Contingent To 2024 Gateway Games

Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Mourn Demise Of 22 Kano Athletes

10 hours ago
Tinubu’s Eid Reflections: Beyond The Prayers

Opposition’s Gang Up Can’t Stop Tinubu – Kogi Ex-Speaker

10 hours ago

“And if we don’t have such people managing our electoral management bodies, if what we have are people who will continue to go in a circle, we will not get what we want.”

Jonathan further underscored the necessity of strong and ethical leadership in electoral management to avoid a flawed electoral system and advocated for a robust framework to ensure credible elections.

“When both parties are strong, and the system cannot be manipulated, only real human beings will cast and their votes will count,” he affirmed.

The former President condemned the regionalisation of the electoral process which has affected all facets, including religious groups.

“Sometimes, if I listen to the prediction by religious men and women and so on, their predictions tend to go towards the regional interest. So, when the electoral process is so regionalised, we are going to have issues. And that will be controlled by de-emphasising sort of key areas.”

He also pointed to the challenges confronting elections in Sierra Leone and Senegal, where allegations of irregularities, including voter intimidation, ethnic tensions, and controversial results undermined the polls.

“Late last year, Ghana conducted general elections which were indeed successful, despite the application of limited technology. The country, with a reputation of being one of Africa’s most stable democracies, lived up to this billing by conducting peaceful polling and smooth transfer of power.

“The Electoral Commission of Ghana and the security authorities played a crucial role in ensuring the elections were free, fair, and transparent, thereby demonstrating that Ghana’s democratic institutions and processes have continued to be resilient, even with limited technology.

“Two other countries, Liberia and Senegal also conducted general elections with limited deployment of technology. In these countries, the processes were generally peaceful, transparent, and credible with a high voter turnout.

“In the case of Liberia, incumbent President George Weah conceded defeat to the opposition candidate Joseph Boakai after a closely contested runoff, setting a positive example for democratic transitions in the region.

“The pre-election period in Senegal was notably marred by protests, arrests of opposition figures, and concerns about the independence of the judiciary. However, it was pleasing to observe that once the election process kicked in, the polling processes progressed without hitches, resulting in a free and fair outcome.’’

For his part, Prof. Jega highlighted persistent challenges limiting democratic development in West Africa.

“Political interference in the appointment (and/or removal) of electoral commissioners and other electoral management body officials; intimidation/targeting of electoral officials to ensure desired outcomes; obstruction of legal reforms to extend EMB powers (for example to strengthen oversight of campaign finance) or more broadly provide for more inclusive electoral processes.

“Introduction of rules that enable fraud or manipulation, for example through weak regulations around registration or voting procedures, or strategic changes to electoral laws which significantly favour incumbents.

“The withholding of funds and other resources from electoral operations and attempts to discredit the EMB,” Jega stated.

He added that citizens, civil society organisations, and change drivers should continue mobilising effectively for credible elections.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Breaking NEWS: Nigerians can now earn in US Dollars, acquire ultra premium domains for low and sell for super profit. Our client acquired a domain for $3715 and got it sold for $42,000. Click here to see how you too can profit from the business.


Tags: Goodluck JonathanJegaYiaga Africa
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Students Decry Insecurity As Gunmen Abduct 4 JOSTUM Students

Next Post

Katsina Gov’t Flags Off N4bn Subsidised Food Scheme

Ruth Nwokwu

Ruth Nwokwu

You May Like

PICTORIAL: Accident Claims 19 Lives Of Kano Contingent To 2024 Gateway Games
Politics

Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Mourn Demise Of 22 Kano Athletes

2025/06/02
Tinubu’s Eid Reflections: Beyond The Prayers
Politics

Opposition’s Gang Up Can’t Stop Tinubu – Kogi Ex-Speaker

2025/06/02
JUST-IN: Wike Revokes PDP National Secretariat Land
Politics

National Convention: Elect Officers Based On Merit, Professionals Warn PDP

2025/06/02
Rivers Crisis: No Regrets Threatening PDP Governors – Wike Insists
Politics

Pro-Tinubu Group Adopts Wike Chief As Patron

2025/06/02
Nigerians May Kick Out APC In 2027 Over Hardship — Ex-Party Chair
Politics

Ex-Minister Resigns From Nasarawa APC

2025/06/01
2027: Ex-Kwara Chief Of Staff Ladi Hassan Declares Guber Ambition
Politics

2027: Ex-Kwara Chief Of Staff Ladi Hassan Declares Guber Ambition

2025/06/01
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

FERMA Needs N880bn Yearly For Road Maintenance — Minister

Sarri Rejoins Lazio As Head Coach For Second Spell

‘Amaechi Hungry For Power, Not Food’, Wike Slams Ex-Minister

Federal Gov’t Moves To End ‘419’ Scare, Cyber Fraud In Banking Sector

Borno CJ To Chair Nigeria’s First Justice Tech Hackathon, Accelerator Challenge

Fubara’s Feats In Rivers Outshine Peers Despite Political Crisis – Opposition Lawmakers

1,385 Children Recruited By Boko Haram From 2017 To 2019 — UNODC

37-yr-old Man Arrested For Raping Own Stepdaughter In Bauchi

Suspected Cultists Kill Taxi Driver In Rivers

Akpabio Planned My Suspension For Refusing Corruption Demands – Natasha

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.