By Kamsi Anayo
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for an end to off-cycle elections with the present exercise in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
Jonathan also warned that the presidential election may soon become off-cycle if this trend is allowed to continue.
Jonathan made the call on Saturday shortly after casting vote in Bayelsa state at the Ogbia Ward 13, Unit 39.
He charged the National Assembly to address the problem to unify all elections.
The former President stated that what Nigeria is doing is only to satisfy the law but that it does not reflect global best electoral practices.
“Yes, some states in the US have their own periods to elect a governor but that such dates are sacrosanct,” he said.
According to him, it is good to know the date a new governor or president would be elected.
Jonathan added that journalists were keeping quiet but that soon, they would raise a voice the moment presidential election begins to shift to unpredictable dates.
He reminded Nigerians that this nearly took place in 2007 when he contested as running mate to Alhaji Umaru Musa Ya’adua when he said three out of seven justices voted to nullify the election.
“If one more justice had crossed to that side, the election would have been nullified and the presidential election series would today be an off-cycle election”.
On Bayelsa voting, he said he was in touch with all parts of the state without any major incident so far.
He, however, said it was too early to make comments.
He was accompanied by his wife, Patience, and a retinue of aides.