Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned Nigerian politicians against using “politics” as an excuse to justify actions taken in pursuit of electoral victory.
Jonathan said there must be limits to what politicians can do in the quest for power, stressing that not every action undertaken to win an election can simply be defended as part of politics.
The former president spoke on Thursday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at a public lecture organised to mark the 80th birthday of Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney-General of the Federation.
Jonathan’s remarks come amid continuing concerns over the conduct of political actors and the methods deployed during electoral contests in Nigeria.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining ethical standards in political engagement, suggesting that the pursuit of electoral victory should not override principles, laws and democratic values.
The former president’s comments have further stirred debate over the responsibilities of politicians and the need for greater accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Agabi, a respected legal practitioner and former federal minister, was honoured at the event attended by prominent figures from the legal, political and public sectors.
