Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system, focusing particularly on the process of appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman and the rising trend of political defections.
Speaking at the National Action Plan for Electoral Reform Dialogue, organised by the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Jonathan, represented by the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ann Iyonu, acknowledged progress since the return to democratic rule in 1999 but highlighted persistent flaws in the electoral system.
“Nigeria has made notable progress since our return to democratic rule, but we must acknowledge that our electoral system still faces significant challenges. If we are truly committed to democracy, we must be bold enough to reform the process to better reflect the will of the people and the principles of justice, accountability, and inclusion,” he said.
Jonathan proposed a review of the process for appointing the INEC Chairman, recommending that an independent panel, composed of representatives from the judiciary, civil society, academia, trade unions, and professional bodies, should handle screening and nomination.