Jonathan Calls for Independent Registrar of Political Parties to End Indiscipline in Nigeria’s Democracy

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stressed that Nigeria urgently requires an independent office of the Registrar of Political Parties to curb what he described as the “worsening crisis of political party indiscipline,” PulseNets learnt on Wednesday.

The former leader made the recommendation during the public presentation of the National Action Plan for Electoral Reforms, hosted in Abuja by the School of Social and Political Thought. Jonathan, who was represented by Ms Ann Iyonu, the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, underscored the urgent need for reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, while Nigeria has made noticeable progress since the return to democratic governance in 1999, the electoral system continues to be burdened by flaws that weaken its credibility and public trust.

Jonathan told PulseNets that if the nation is truly committed to democracy, then it must summon the boldness to reshape its electoral process to uphold justice, inclusion and accountability.

Political Indiscipline Threatens Nigeria’s Democracy

Highlighting what he called a disturbing trend, the former president lamented that political parties, which should serve as the pillars of democracy, have instead become vulnerable to instability and opportunism.

He stated: “We are witnessing an alarming growth in cross-carpeting, with elected officials abandoning the platforms under which they secured their mandates. These defections, often carried out without any ideological justification or accountability to voters, erode the very foundation of democracy. To address this, Nigeria needs to establish an independent registrar of political parties with the authority to regulate operations, enforce discipline, and safeguard internal democracy.”

Jonathan, who had served as an election observer across Africa, explained that similar reforms have been effective in countries like Kenya and Malawi.

He further stressed: “Such an office must also be empowered to declare the seats of defectors vacant. This way, we reinforce the principle that the mandate belongs to the people, not to personal ambition.”

Reforming the INEC Appointment Process

Beyond party discipline, Jonathan also proposed a new framework for appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman. He said credibility in elections cannot be separated from the neutrality and competence of INEC’s leadership.

“There have been consistent concerns over how the INEC chairman is appointed,” Jonathan noted. “Many democracies have reformed this process, and Nigeria should not be left behind. I recommend an independent screening and nomination committee, made up of respected voices from the judiciary, civil society, academia and professional bodies. This body would present a shortlist of candidates from which the president can appoint. It would reduce suspicion, foster public trust in INEC and strengthen the legitimacy of its decisions.”

Timely Resolution of Election Disputes

Jonathan also flagged the dangers of allowing candidates with unresolved election cases to assume office. He observed that this practice not only confuses the electorate but also undermines governance.

“Election disputes must be concluded before swearing-in. We need a framework that ensures timely resolution of post-election litigation, perhaps through designated tribunals operating within strict timelines aligned with the electoral calendar. Justice delayed in elections is justice denied, not just to candidates but to the electorate itself,” he said.

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Commending the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought for its commitment to deepening democratic conversations, Jonathan appealed for more patriotism in driving reforms.

“We must face our democratic weaknesses with honesty and confront them with courage. Let us build a Nigeria where elections are credible, leaders are accountable, and democracy delivers truly for the people,” he concluded.