Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the growing presence of serving governors, senior public officials and party leaders at off-cycle elections could undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Jonathan made the remarks in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while reacting to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and Osun voters for the peaceful conduct of the poll but raised concerns about the influx of powerful political figures from outside states holding elections.
He said the arrival of governors, senior officials and party leaders with aides and security personnel could create an intimidating atmosphere and place undue pressure on voters and political opponents.
Jonathan said the pattern observed during recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states should not become an accepted feature of democratic practice.
While acknowledging parties’ right to campaign and mobilize supporters, he cautioned against political displays that could overwhelm the electoral environment.
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The former president warned that a cycle of rival governors deploying political and governmental influence to states holding elections could heighten tensions and turn electoral contests into struggles for political survival.
Drawing from his experience in office, Jonathan recalled similar developments during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections, saying he ordered party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states after receiving reports of their presence.
He urged political actors to view the issue as a national concern and reminded public officials that their influence should strengthen democratic institutions rather than create fear or pressure during elections.
His remarks followed the declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke as winner of the August 15 Osun governorship election.
Adeleke, who contested on the Accord Party platform, secured 511,067 votes to defeat All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
The 66,252-vote margin gave Adeleke victory in 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
Jonathan’s warning has renewed attention on the role of political power in off-cycle elections as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.