Goodluck Jonathan Advocates Political Reform Ahead of Nigeria’s Democracy Day Celebration.

In order to stop the "do-or-die" mentality surrounding elections and lessen the deluge of lawsuits that ensues after each election cycle, former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged for a reform of Nigeria's political system ahead of tomorrow, June 12, democracy day celebration.

Speaking on Tuesday, June 11, at a national symposium held in honour of Democracy Day in Abuja this year, Jonathan claimed that the existing winner-take-all format had turned against political justice and national cohesion.

In addition, he pleaded with the National Assembly to devise a system that would permit political parties receiving a particular proportion of votes—say, thirty percent—to participate in politics instead of being excluded altogether.

The former president added that Nigeria's democracy is extremely embarrassed by the deluge of lawsuits that result from angry parties following each election cycle.

He stated, “The zero-sum kind of politics, where a winner takes it all has not helped us to foster unity and political justice. A political party, for example, that scored up to 30% of votes during an election either at the national or sub-national level should have something to go home with.”

Over the course of the next 25 years, Jonathan also asked the administration of President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the creation of a democratic system free from feelings related to religion, ethnicity, or region.

 “You people have to gradually make sure that in the next 25 years, this is diluted if we must have a solid and enduring democracy. And I know you and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was a key actor in the June 12 crisis will have the capacity to navigate through that process.

I believe this programme and others commemorating this landmark will point the way to that glorious vision, and prepare the nation for a golden time centenary celebrations of enduring democracy.”