Jonathan, Adoke warn against winning election through courts

Goodluck Jonathan, the former President of Nigeria on Wednesday warned that Nigeria’s democracy could face a legitimacy crisis if courts continue deciding electoral winners instead of voters, saying politicians increasingly head to court because they believe judicial outcomes can overturn election results.

Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Bar Association Abuja Law Week 2026, Jonathan described the growing number of post-election litigations as dangerous to democratic stability and urged courts to order fresh elections rather than declare winners in disputed polls.

“The judiciary should not declare candidates winners. Let the ballot determine who wins,” he said.

Jonathan also lamented Nigeria’s low voter turnout, electoral violence and political thuggery, warning that public confidence in elections was steadily declining.

Former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, said Nigerians were losing faith in elections due to vote-buying, weak party democracy and overreliance on the judiciary to settle political disputes.

“The phrase ‘go to court’ has become a reminder that the electorate’s role in determining leaders is gradually eroding,” Adoke stated.

President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, also expressed concern that the judiciary was increasingly determining electoral outcomes, urging reforms to strengthen democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 elections.

kenneth Athekame

Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.