Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised serious concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system, citing the presence of ghost voters as a major challenge. Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference in Abuja, he stressed that the country’s elections lack accurate vote counts and will continue to face integrity issues unless competent and credible individuals are appointed to lead the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Jonathan urged electoral officials to resist political pressure and resign rather than manipulate results. He also criticized the growing influence of ethnic and religious biases in Nigeria’s elections, warning that democracy remains flawed if only real human votes do not determine leadership. Reflecting on the 2023 elections, he pointed out issues such as delayed voting, violence, and technical failures despite the introduction of BVAS and the INEC Results Viewing Portal.
Comparing Nigeria with other African nations, Jonathan noted that countries like Ghana and Liberia, which rely less on technology, have experienced smoother electoral processes and peaceful transitions of power. He highlighted former Liberian President George Weah’s concession as a positive example, contrasting it with Nigeria and Sierra Leone, where technology-driven elections have led to legal battles and political unrest.