Jonathan Warns Against Post-Election Litigation

 

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that Nigeria’s growing culture of post-election litigation poses a threat to the country’s democracy, urging political actors to strengthen democratic institutions and allow the judiciary to remain independent and impartial.

Jonathan spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where he examined the role of political parties and the judiciary in strengthening democratic governance. He stressed the need for political leaders to respect democratic institutions and ensure that courts remain faithful to the law.

The former president expressed concern over the increasing reliance on the courts to determine the outcome of elections, arguing that a democracy in which electoral contests are routinely transferred from the ballot box to the courtroom risks weakening public confidence in the electoral process.

According to him, the judiciary has a critical responsibility in protecting democracy and must remain independent and impartial in the discharge of its constitutional duties. He warned that any perception that courts are being influenced by political considerations could damage the credibility of the justice system.

Jonathan’s position comes amid renewed debate over the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the conduct of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. Several political figures and elder statesmen have recently called for reforms aimed at strengthening internal democracy and reducing the growing dependence on litigation after elections.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has also expressed concern about the increasing role of the judiciary in determining election outcomes, saying courts should not become the primary arena for settling electoral contests.

Jonathan therefore urged political parties and their leaders to embrace democratic principles and strengthen their internal processes, stressing that credible elections should be decided primarily by voters rather than prolonged legal battles.

He said the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depended on the ability of political actors, electoral institutions and the judiciary to operate within the limits of the law, adding that an independent judiciary remained essential to protecting citizens’ rights and maintaining confidence in democratic governance.