Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concerns that technology, on its own, will not resolve Nigeria’s electoral issues, as demonstrated by the outcome of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, September 21.
Speaking in Abuja during an event organized by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in collaboration with partners to mark the International Day of Peace, Jonathan emphasized that the real challenge lies in the human mindset. He lamented that many Nigerians have a negative attitude towards politics, which undermines the effectiveness of technology in elections.
Jonathan, who holds the distinction of being the only Nigerian president to hand over power to an opposition party following his defeat at the polls, pointed out that tensions were higher after the Edo election than before, largely due to perceptions of irregularities. He argued that as long as the human mind is corrupt, technology can be manipulated.
“In Nigeria, we often talk about technology, but if the human mind is not committed to doing the right thing, technology will be manipulated. Around the world, ten of the top countries in conflict include three from sub-Saharan Africa. Many nations around us, including Nigeria, are embroiled in various forms of conflict, most of which stem from leadership struggles and the contestation for power.”
The former president added, “When you analyze the root causes of conflicts in Africa, it often boils down to leadership tussles. This is why I am particularly concerned about Nigeria.”
Jonathan also challenged the notion that politics is inherently dirty, stressing that it is the actions of the players that tarnish the political landscape in Nigeria and across Africa.
By shoutouttvblog
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