Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians against rigging elections or engaging in criminal activities under the excuse of pursuing political interests.
Jonathan gave the warning at a public lecture organised to mark the 80th birthday of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.
The former President said political contests must be conducted according to established rules, stressing that the pursuit of electoral victory should not be used to justify misconduct.
He described the violation of electoral rules in the name of politics as dangerous, noting that some politicians engage in actions that would ordinarily be considered criminal but attempt to justify them as part of political competition.
According to Jonathan, politics has clearly defined rules, just as sporting competitions operate under established regulations.
He said politicians who violate electoral rules should be prepared to face legal consequences, noting that the courts have a role to play when established rules are breached.
Jonathan warned that allowing politicians to manipulate elections and escape consequences could weaken democratic institutions and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The former President also spoke about Nigeria’s fight against corruption, saying the country’s efforts should go beyond enacting laws and establishing anti-corruption agencies.
He said lasting progress would require a society that values ethical conduct and rejects wrongdoing, arguing that laws alone cannot eliminate corruption if citizens and leaders continue to tolerate unethical behaviour.
Jonathan’s comments come as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with concerns over electoral conduct, political violence and the credibility of the voting process remaining prominent in public discourse.
The former President urged political actors to respect democratic rules and pursue electoral victory through legitimate means, stressing that the integrity of Nigeria’s elections depends on the willingness of participants to abide by the rules governing the process.
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