It is time to end off-cycle elections in Nigeria, says former President Jonathan

Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to make laws to end off-season elections in Nigeria, saying it does not conform with global best practices.

The elder statesman said this on Saturday after he cast his vote in the November 11, 2023, governorship poll at Ward 13, Polling Unit 39, at Otuoke in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The ex-governor of Bayelsa State said an off-season presidential poll “almost happened in 2007 when I contested as a running mate with President Umaru Yar’adua” but it was prevented.

He expressed fears that the presidential election might become off-season.

Jonathan appealed to the Nigerian lawmakers to make laws that would end the off-cycle polls and harmonise them with the general elections.

He said, “I get worried by the issue of off-season elections. And I use this opportunity to plead with the National Assembly that we need to block these off-season elections. It is very odd; it is not a global best practice.

“If we continue with this trend of off-season elections based on the interpretation of our laws by the judicial officers, it will come to a time when the presidential election will be off-season.

“Look at the American system, everybody knows when the American election will be conducted.” He said.