Jonathan Blames ‘Ghost Voters’ for Inaccurate Election Results, Calls for INEC Officials to Resign if Pressured
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed the inaccuracy of vote counts during elections in Nigeria to the prevalence of “ghost voters.” Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan emphasized the need for credible electoral officials who are willing to resign rather than succumb to pressure to manipulate election results.
Jonathan’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and the challenges faced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting free and fair elections. The former president called for a higher standard of accountability and integrity among INEC officials, urging them to prioritize the nation’s democratic principles over political pressures.
The Problem of Ghost Voters
Jonathan highlighted the issue of “ghost voters” as a major obstacle to achieving accurate election results. “In Nigeria, you can’t get an accurate count of votes because I believe that we have too many ghost voters,” he said. Ghost voters refer to fictitious or non-existent individuals whose names appear on voter registers, often used to manipulate election outcomes.
The former president stressed that addressing this issue is critical to restoring public confidence in the electoral process. “We must have credible people managing our elections. If we don’t, we will continue to go in circles and never achieve the transparency and fairness we desire,” he added.
A Call for Integrity and Resignation
Jonathan also called on INEC officials to demonstrate integrity by resigning if pressured to compromise the electoral process. He cited the example of former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, who he praised for standing firm against political pressures during his tenure.
“Political leaders who are so domineering will pressure you to do what is wrong; you should be able to resign and leave. You should be able to resign and walk away, please,” Jonathan said. “If we don’t have this kind of people managing our electoral bodies, then we are in trouble.”
He urged INEC officials to prioritize the nation’s democratic values over personal or political interests. “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 pressured to do what is wrong, I will take care of the democratic people and walk away,’” he stated.
The Need for Electoral Reforms
Jonathan’s comments underscore the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms in Nigeria. Issues such as voter registration integrity, transparency in vote counting, and the independence of electoral bodies have been persistent challenges in the country’s democratic journey.
The former president’s call for accountability and integrity aligns with the broader demands of civil society organizations and stakeholders for a more credible and transparent electoral process. His remarks also highlight the importance of leadership and moral courage in ensuring the success of democratic institutions.
A Message to INEC and Political Leaders
Jonathan’s speech serves as a reminder to INEC officials and political leaders of their responsibility to uphold democratic principles. He warned that without credible and independent electoral management bodies, Nigeria’s democracy will continue to face significant challenges.
“If what we have are people who will continue to go in a circle, we will not get what we want,” he said. “We need leaders who are committed to doing what is right, even if it means stepping down from their positions.”
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, the issues raised by former President Goodluck Jonathan highlight the critical need for reforms and accountability in the electoral process. His call for INEC officials to resign if pressured to compromise elections resonates with the broader demand for transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s democracy.
The YIAGA Africa conference provided a platform for reflection on the challenges facing democratic elections in West Africa, and Jonathan’s remarks serve as a timely reminder of the work that remains to be done to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and ensure the credibility of its democratic institutions.
