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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised what he described as a growing pattern of political interference in off-cycle elections, particularly where influential politicians travel from outside a state to influence electoral outcomes.

Jonathan made the remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday while commenting on the outcome of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.

Reports had indicated that about 16 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, visited Osun State to campaign and mobilise support for the party’s governorship candidate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other prominent political figures also reportedly visited the state days before the election, prompting questions about the level of political involvement in the poll.

Reacting to the development, Jonathan said the emerging pattern of political conduct required serious attention at the national level.

He said: “While we commend the electoral process itself, there are developments surrounding the election and, more importantly, an emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections that raises concerns.

“The growing practice whereby serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries, accompanied by large numbers of aides and heavy security details from outside a state, converge on states where elections are being conducted, raises an issue that demands national attention,” he said.

The former president noted that similar situations had been witnessed during previous off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Ondo states.

He described the development as an unusual practice that should not be allowed to become a permanent feature of Nigeria’s democratic process.

“It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society”, Jonathan added.

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