Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that Nigeria’s democracy risks sliding into a deeper crisis if courts continue determining winners of elections instead of voters at the ballot box.
Jonathan gave the warning at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Law Week of the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, held at the NBA House in Abuja with the theme, “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democratic Process.”
Jonathan expressed concern over the increasing number of post-election litigations in the country, noting that politicians now approach the courts with the belief that judicial rulings can overturn the will of the electorate.
According to him, courts should not declare winners in disputed elections but should instead order fresh polls where irregularities are proven.
Jonathan warned that excessive judicial involvement in electoral outcomes could weaken public confidence in democracy and diminish the power of citizens’ votes.
In his keynote address, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, said Nigeria’s democratic system was facing serious challenges as public trust in elections continues to decline.
Adoke identified low voter turnout, vote-buying, electoral violence and weak internal party democracy as major threats undermining the country’s electoral process.
He also cautioned against excessive reliance on the judiciary in settling political disputes, warning that it gradually reduces the role of voters in deciding electoral outcomes.
Also speaking at the event, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, expressed concern over the increasing “judicialisation” of Nigeria’s democracy.
Osigwe stressed the need to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that election results genuinely reflect the will of Nigerians.
He condemned electoral violence, political thuggery and manipulation of the electoral process, while commending Jonathan for conceding defeat peacefully after the 2015 presidential election.
