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OBJ: Court Should Not Decide Election Winner
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern over the growing role of the judiciary in determining election outcomes in Nigeria, saying it undermines the essence of democracy when the votes of millions are ultimately decided by a handful of judges.
Obasanjo spoke yesterday as chairman of the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, Bauchi.
The dialogue, with the theme, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and Judiciary Save African Democracy?”, brought together political leaders, statesmen, scholars and democracy advocates from Nigeria and other African countries.
Obasanjo questioned whether it was democratic for millions of citizens to cast their votes only for a few judges to determine the final outcome.
“If millions of people have voted and five people would form a decision either in favour or against the decision of millions of people, is that democracy?” he queried.
He also questioned the independence of the judiciary, asking whether it remained truly independent or was being influenced by the government.
The former president said the situation raised fundamental questions about the state of democracy in Nigeria and Africa, noting that democracy must ultimately deliver good governance and improve the living conditions of citizens.
He said democracy should guarantee welfare and wellbeing, inclusiveness, equality, a sense of belonging, protection of lives and property, and an end to marginalisation and discrimination.
“Democracy that works must deliver the dividends of democracy,” he added.
Obasanjo also questioned the effectiveness of political parties in sustaining democracy, asking, “Can the political parties deliver, or are they delivering? These are the questions the dialogue needs to answer.”
Jonathan Advocates Swiss-style Presidency To Curb Power Concentration
In his own submission, former President Goodluck Jonathan urged African countries to review their democratic systems and adopt models that reflect their histories, cultures and political realities while upholding justice, equality, human rights, accountability and free elections.
Jonathan made the call in his vote of thanks at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi.
He suggested that elements of the Swiss system of government could provide useful lessons for some African countries, particularly in preventing excessive concentration of political power in one individual.
“At the top level of the presidency, perhaps the Swiss model, where you don’t have one powerful president, may be the best for some African countries,” he said.
Jonathan explained that Switzerland’s executive authority was exercised collectively rather than concentrated in a single individual, making it more difficult for one person to take far-reaching decisions without consultation.
“I remember when I was Vice President, I once said that forefathers believed that when one person has so much power, it is dangerous to society,” he recalled.
He warned that concentrating enormous political powers in one individual could weaken democratic governance and public institutions.
Jonathan also cautioned against measuring democracy solely by elections, saying elections were only one component of a functioning democratic system.
Citing the 2024 Afrobarometer survey of 39 African countries, he said more than 70 per cent of respondents expressed a preference for democracy, while satisfaction with how democracy was being practised was significantly lower in many countries.
“This clearly shows that there is something fundamentally wrong with our democracy,” he said.
The former president said democracy must guarantee fairness, justice and equal treatment, with citizens able to freely choose their leaders and participate in the political process.
“If that is lacking in a country, then, of course, there is no democracy there,” he said.
Jonathan called for an independent judiciary free from executive interference and urged governments to ensure that legislatures had sufficient independence to perform their oversight functions.
He acknowledged, however, that achieving complete separation between the executive and legislature could be difficult where members of both arms belonged to the same political party.
The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over his alleged comment directing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party during the state governorship election.
The summons followed the circulation of a video on social media in which the senator, while speaking in Yoruba during an APC campaign in Ilesa on Tuesday, allegedly made the controversial remarks.
In a letter dated August 11, 2026, and signed by the Commissioner of Police, Elections, Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale, the command invited Fadahunsi to clarify the circumstances surrounding the statements.
The senator was directed to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, at 11am on Wednesday, August 12.
The letter said the invitation was based on information available to the police alleging that Fadahunsi made statements considered “threatening, inciting and intimidating” during the campaign.
It added that the alleged statement had been circulated on various electronic and social media platforms.
Senator clarifies comment
Fadahunsi, in the video, was heard speaking in Yoruba and allegedly telling APC supporters to kill members of the Accord Party if they encountered them during the electoral process.
Following the backlash generated by the video, however, the senator’s team said his comment was misinterpreted.
In a statement titled, “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” the team said the senator was calling on APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through the ballot box.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
It described the senator’s remark as a call for supporters to “overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means” during the August 15 governorship election.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, in which incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.
Adeleke has repeatedly accused the APC of using thugs to attack his supporters, allegations the party has disputed.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Commissioner for Election, Samuel Etaifo, has warned politicians to refrain from using violence and inciteful comments as the state heads to the governorship election on Saturday.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Wednesday, the police commissioner condemned the alleged comment, saying the politicians must exercise restraint at this critical period.
“At this critical period of the electoral process, political leaders and public office holders are expected to exercise restraint, promote peace, and refrain from making comments capable of heightening tension or undermining public confidence in the electoral and security arrangements put in place for the forthcoming election,” he said.
While reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to neutrality, professionalism, and the protection of democratic values, CP Etaifo emphasised that the Police will not tolerate any act, utterance, or conduct capable of inciting violence, disrupting public peace, or threatening the security of the state.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has invited Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi to provide clarification on the statement and to foster mutual understanding in the interest of peace and security,” he said.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of possible flash floods in 13 states between August 11 and 20, 2026.
NiMet issued the warning in an advisory posted on its X handle listing Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Cross River and Akwa Ibom as states at high risk.
The agency said the outlook was based on forecast rainfall intensity, soil moisture, drainage capacity, terrain and dam characteristics.
It said the advisory was intended to support early preparedness, emergency response and disaster risk reduction.
NiMet warned that flash floods could occur in flood-prone, low-lying, urban and riverside communities, with possible impacts including road closures, traffic congestion and transport disruptions.
It also warned that flooding could temporarily disrupt electricity and telecommunications services, while heavy rainfall could reduce visibility and affect road and aviation operations.
According to the agency, waterlogging could damage farmlands, crops and livestock, while flash floods could destroy roads, bridges, drainage systems and other critical infrastructure.
It added that stagnant floodwaters could increase the risk of waterborne diseases.
NiMet advised residents to follow weather forecasts and flood alerts from the agency and emergency management authorities.
It urged the public to avoid walking or driving through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing water, and advised people in vulnerable areas to remain alert and be prepared to relocate to safer locations if necessary.
The agency also urged emergency management authorities to strengthen surveillance, pre-position response teams and maintain emergency preparedness.
It advised farmers to improve drainage on their farms and move livestock, machinery and harvested produce away from flood-prone areas.
The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence – CAIDOV has called on all stakeholders in Osun State to prioritize peace, fairness, and the rule of law as the state approaches its election.
As a human rights and justice organization, CAIDOV urged political parties, candidates, security agencies, INEC, traditional rulers, and voters to shun violence, intimidation, vote-buying, and all forms of electoral malpractice
In the statement by CAIDOV signed by Its Executive Director Gbenga Soloki stated
“Osun people deserve an election that reflects their true will. We want a peaceful election in Osun — free, fair, credible, and devoid of bloodshed. A peaceful Osun will guarantee prosperity for all.The ballot should be the only weapon. Any act of violence or injustice undermines democracy and hurts the very citizens we seek to serve.”
CAIDOV specifically urged Security Agencies to remain neutral, professional, and protect voters, materials, and officials.
INEC according to CAIDOV should ensure transparency and timely delivery of materials,while
Political Actors are enjoined to play by the rules and accept outcomes in good faith.
CAIDOV called on Voters to come out peacefully, vote, and protect their votes without fear
We also urge civil society, media, and community leaders to preach tolerance and de-escalate tensions.
CAIDOV will be monitoring compliance with electoral laws and report any cases of injustice or violence.
_Let the voice of Osun people be heard peacefully. Democracy thrives where peace reigns._
*Signed:*
*Gbenga Soloki*
Executive Director, CAIDOV
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