Jonathan criticises multi-tier election litigation, proposes single tribunal system
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a review of Nigeria’s election dispute process, describing the current multi-layered system as inefficient.
Jonathan made the remarks in Abuja on Wednesday at the 70th birthday celebration and book launch of Gbenga Daniel, senator representing Ogun East.
He urged the national assembly to consider establishing a constitutional court to handle all election-related cases, arguing that such a move would simplify the process and ease pressure on the judiciary.
The former Bayelsa governor criticised the existing three-stage litigation structure for governorship elections, which moves from election tribunals to the court of appeal and ultimately the supreme court. He said the system has become ineffective and unnecessarily prolonged.
Reflecting on past electoral laws, Jonathan recalled a 2011 case where a governorship candidate lost due to a technical issue involving the use of ink by voters.
According to him, the law at the time required voters’ names to be ticked with red ink, but in some areas, only black or green pens were available. As a result, those votes were invalidated, a decision upheld by the appeal court despite objections from the lower tribunal.
While noting that subsequent legal amendments allowed governorship election cases to reach the supreme court to prevent similar injustices, Jonathan said the reforms failed to address delays in the litigation process.
He suggested that Nigeria adopt the model used in some Francophone African countries, where specialised constitutional courts exclusively handle political and electoral disputes.
“If the supreme court remains the final authority on governorship elections, then there is no need for multiple layers. A single tribunal system would be more efficient,” he said.
Jonathan also urged the judiciary to remain firm and impartial in handling political cases, likening judges to referees in a football match who must enforce rules to maintain fairness.
Speaking on the celebrant, Jonathan described Daniel as a constructive leader with an engineering mindset, praising his ability to navigate politics and build consensus.
He also commended Daniel for documenting his life in books, stressing the importance of personal accounts in correcting public misconceptions.
“There are many stories about public figures, and not all are accurate. It is only when individuals document their experiences that the true account becomes clear,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu was represented at the event by the minister of finance, while former President Olusegun Obasanjo and several traditional rulers were also in attendance.
