Former President Goodluck Jonathan has renewed calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system, highlighting the need for transparency in appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman and condemning the growing wave of political defections.

Speaking on Wednesday at the National Action Plan for Electoral Reform Dialogue in Abuja, Jonathan represented by the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ann Iyonu warned that Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without bold reforms that guarantee credibility, justice, and accountability.

He argued that the credibility of elections depends largely on INEC’s neutrality, noting that the current appointment process for its chairman raises concerns of bias. To address this, he proposed the establishment of an independent mechanism to screen and nominate candidates for the role.

On defections, Jonathan described the increasing “cross-carpeting” culture where politicians abandon their parties after winning elections as dangerous for democracy. He suggested creating a regulatory body with powers to sanction political parties and declare the seats of defectors vacant.

The former president further emphasized that election disputes should be resolved before winners are sworn in to prevent confusion and erosion of public trust in the system.

Jonathan stressed that the reforms being proposed were not partisan but necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.