Excessive election litigation weakening Nigeria’s democracy – Jonathan
Former President Jonathan Raises Concerns Over Post-Election Litigation in Nigeria
Bauchi, Nigeria — Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed alarm on Tuesday regarding the increasing prevalence of post-election litigation in the country, warning that the judiciary’s growing influence in political matters is undermining Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Speaking at the 2026 Democracy Dialogue organized by his foundation, Jonathan highlighted the uniqueness of Nigeria’s electoral dispute system, noting that it contrasts sharply with practices in other African nations where electoral disputes are typically resolved through the ballot box rather than through extensive court battles.
“The Nigerian situation is extremely different from most other African countries,” he said, characterizing the frequency of election-related lawsuits in Nigeria as “anomalous.”
Jonathan recounted a conversation with a former Deputy President of South Africa during his vice presidency, who expressed surprise that Nigerian politicians frequently challenged election outcomes in court. “She asked me, ‘Jonathan, why would someone go to court after losing an election?’” he noted.
He pointed out that in South Africa, such litigation is uncommon, while in Nigeria, it has become an integral part of the electoral process.
The former president emphasized the necessity of an independent and impartial judiciary but acknowledged a decline in public confidence regarding political decisions made by the courts. He stated that while electoral offenses should be prosecuted, many disputes have become overly politicized and litigated.
“In some highly controversial cases, it is better for the election to go back to the people,” he suggested.
Jonathan also criticized what he described as rising judicial interference in the internal operations of political parties, particularly regarding disputes stemming from party primaries. He asserted that courts now determine candidates for political parties, which he believes contributes to uncertainty in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“Political parties should retain the primary responsibility of choosing their candidates,” he argued, asserting that excessive judicial involvement has disrupted the balance of Nigeria’s democratic framework.
He emphasized that a well-functioning democracy relies on a collaborative ecosystem that includes political parties, electoral bodies, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society, the media, election observers, and voters.
Jonathan concluded that strengthening Nigeria’s democracy is contingent upon reducing the number of electoral disputes and restoring public trust in both elections and judicial rulings.
