By Vincent Egunyanga, Abuja
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the establishment of a ‘Hall of Shame’ for election riggers in the country.
Jonathan said this yesterday at the launch of two books, Readings on Election Security Management and Selected Readings in Internal Security, written by Dr Solomon Arase, a former Inspector-General of Police.
He said the Hall of Shame would enable their children to know the role they played even after they had gone.
The former President said Nigerian politicians continue to engage in electoral malpractices because, according to him, the Nigerian public condones them.
He called on Nigerians to stop celebrating wrongdoing at elections.
He hoped that Nigerians would one day reject bad behaviour, adding, “If we reject wrong behaviour and wrong things, politicians will behave themselves.”
Jonathan said the books were academic contributions to a body of knowledge that is relevant for training key actors in elections, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police.
He also condemned the over-policing and militarisation of elections in the country, which he said was unnecessary.
Speaking earlier, the author of the books, Dr Solomon Arase, praised former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was Chairman of the occasion.
He said the former President exhibited nationalism and patriotism by accepting defeat after the 2015 presidential election to avoid bloodshed.
Arase said the books, ‘Readings on Election Security Management’ and ‘Selected Readings in Internal Security Management’, symbolize the credibility of our electoral process.
He said the book provides space for knowledge about the quality of elections and security and for holding law enforcement agencies accountable.
He said the proceeds from the books would be used for the advancement scheme scholarship of his foundation.
Among those present at the event were former IGP, Sunday Ehindero, Aliu Attah, Ogbonnaya Onovo, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Chief Ben Obi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, among others
