Litigations after elections is embarrassing – Jonathan

Ahead of the democracy day celebration tomorrow, June 12, former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a reform of Nigeria’s political system to curb the “do-or-die” approach to elections and reduce the avalanche of litigation that follows every electoral cycle.

Jonathan who spoke at a national symposium to mark this year’s Democracy Day in Abuja on Tuesday, June 11, stated that the current winner-takes-all system has become inimical to political justice and national unity.

He also urged the National Assembly to work out a formula that allows political parties that garner a certain percentage of votes, such as 30%, to have a role in governance, rather than being completely shut out.

The former President also said the avalanche of litigation arising from dissatisfied parties after each election cycle is “very embarrassing” for Nigeria’s democracy.

He said; 

“The zero-sum kind of politics, where a winner takes it all has not helped us to foster unity and political justice.

“A political party, for example, that scored up to 30% of votes during an election either at the national or sub-national level should have something to go home with.”

Jonathan also asked President Bola Tinubu-led administration to prioritise building a political system devoid of religious, ethnic, and regional sentiments over the next 25 years.

He added; 

“You people have to gradually make sure that in the next 25 years, this is diluted if we must have a solid and enduring democracy.

“And I know you and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was a key actor in the June 12 crisis will have the capacity to navigate through that process.

“I believe this programme and others commemorating this landmark will point the way to that glorious vision, and prepare the nation for a golden time centenary celebrations of enduring democracy.”