Elections: Fair, neutral judiciary will keep politicians out of court—ex-Pres. Jonathan

Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, says a just, fair, and neutral judiciary with uncompromising integrity will deter politicians from contesting election results in court.

According to Jonathan, politicians will not go to court if they are confident that judges will not unjustly declare losing candidates winners.

He made the statement at the inauguration of Delta State’s new high court complex in Asaba, as well as the flag-off of the presentation of 20 Toyota Prado Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to state judges.

Jonathan also said free and fair elections would lead to a significant reduction in court cases, noting that a substantial number of politicians turn to litigation due to perceived electoral malpractices.

He estimated that feelings of electoral fraud and injustice led to the filing of approximately 50% of court cases.

Johnathan said: “My thinking is that 50 percent of those who go to court go to court because they felt they were cheated by the electoral management system; they were rigged out.

“When you feel naturally aggrieved, you have to go to court. So, assuming the elections are properly conducted, they know they failed, but they feel they can use the judiciary to declare them winners.

“If the judiciary doesn’t declare who doesn’t win the election that they are winners, that many 50 percent will not go to court.

“In South Africa, the electoral management body will never compromise, they all know. If you lose the election, you just wait for the next election. You don’t need to go to court.

“Because if you go to court, the judiciary too will not compromise. So, you will not get anything.”