Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians participating in the 2027 general elections against manipulating the electoral process or engaging in misconduct in the pursuit of victory.
Jonathan gave the warning at a public lecture organised to mark the 80th birthday of Kanu Agabi (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
His remarks came as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with the presidential campaign season already underway.
The former president, who conceded defeat to the opposition in the 2015 presidential election, said politics has established rules that must be respected by all contestants.
Jonathan said, ‘In politics, it is a disaster. People do stupid things, also even criminal things, and they will tell you it is politics. It is not politics. Politics has rules.’
He likened electoral contests to a football match, stressing that candidates must operate within the rules governing elections.
‘Politics is like a soccer match. You play according to the rules, and that is why the courts step in to mediate if you go against the rules. Otherwise, you can do anything and win an election and walk away,’ he said.
Jonathan also spoke on corruption, saying Nigeria’s anti-corruption challenge cannot be solved solely through legislation or the activities of law-enforcement agencies.
According to him, the country must develop a culture in which ethical conduct is valued and public office is regarded as a trust.
‘The challenge before Nigeria is not simply to make laws against corruption. It is to build a culture in which ethical conduct becomes the norm, where public office is treated as a trust, and where institutions are strong enough to uphold accountability,’ he said.
Recalling his experience in Rwanda, Jonathan said social norms in the country discourage public officials from accepting gifts that could compromise public trust.
Jonathan further urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for fighting corruption, stressing that the task should not be left solely to statutory agencies.
‘All of us Nigerians have a major role to play if we want to suppress corruption, not just the bodies established by law to discipline and punish those who do it,’ he said.
He also underscored the role of the judiciary and other institutions in enforcing accountability and ensuring that violations of established rules attract appropriate consequences.