Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called for the military to be excluded from the day-to-day management of Nigeria’s elections, a role typically reserved for police and specialized electoral bodies in developed nations.
Speaking at the official launch of two books—*Selected Readings in Internal Security* and *Selected Readings on Election Security Management*—Jonathan argued that overextending military involvement in electoral processes undermines democratic norms.
He pointed out that in many countries, the military’s role is limited to securing strategic government assets and transporting materials to dangerous areas, leaving routine election duties to the police.
Jonathan cited his recent experience in Botswana, where elections were managed entirely by police forces, contrasting it with the Nigerian system where military personnel are often deployed on the ground.
His remarks underscored the need for Nigeria to adopt a more balanced approach that reduces military exposure to electoral activities, thereby preserving the integrity of the democratic process while ensuring that security roles are clearly defined.
