By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA — Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a series of electoral reforms to address what he described as the “growing crisis of political party indiscipline”
in Nigeria. Speaking at a public presentation of the National Action Plan for Electoral Reforms in Abuja, Jonathan, represented by his foundation’s executive director, Ms. Ann Iyonu, proposed the establishment of an independent office for the Registrar of Political Parties.
He argued that this new body should be empowered to regulate party operations, promote internal democracy, and have the authority to declare the seats of defecting elected officials vacant. Jonathan, who cited similar systems in Kenya and Malawi as effective models, said the move would affirm that electoral mandates belong to the people, not to any individual’s ambition.
In addition to party discipline, Jonathan proposed a new process for appointing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He suggested creating an independent screening and nomination mechanism composed of representatives from the judiciary, civil society, and academia. T
his body would vet and recommend a shortlist of qualified candidates to the President, a reform he believes would reduce perceptions of bias and enhance public trust in INEC.
The former president also advocated for a framework to conclude all post-election litigations before the swearing-in of elected officials. He stated that the current practice of having candidates assume office with unresolved cases undermines governance and creates confusion, stressing that “justice delayed in elections is justice denied.”