Edo Election: Technology can’t solve our electoral challenges if the human mind is not ready to do what is right – Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concerns that technology alone will not solve Nigeria’s electoral challenges. Speaking in Abuja at an event organized by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) to mark the International Day of Peace, Jonathan reflected on the outcome of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, September 21.

He noted that while technology plays a role, the key issue lies in the human mindset. Jonathan emphasized that many Nigerians still harbor unhealthy attitudes toward politics, which remains a significant obstacle to resolving electoral problems. He expressed regret that there was more tension after the Edo election than before, citing concerns that certain aspects of the process were not handled properly.

”As the first Nigerian president to hand over power peacefully to an opposition party, Jonathan argued that technology alone cannot fix the electoral process if those operating it have corrupt intentions. He stressed that true reform requires a shift in mindset and ethical behavior.

“Here in Nigeria, we talk about technology. Without the human mind ready to do what is right, if we bring the technology, they will manipulate it. Actually, 10 top countries are in conflict globally. Three of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. And quite a number of countries around us, including us, are in one form of conflict or the other.

And when you look at what causes conflict in Africa, most cases are struggle for leadership, contestation for power. And that is the main cause of conflict.

Sometimes when you go through a society, and you can tell all kinds of stories. But by the time you do proper analysis, and dig deep, you know that most cause of conflict is leadership struggle. That is why I’m only worried about my country Nigeria.”

“People say politics is a dirty game. The way we play our politics is the way we want to play it. Remember (Olusegun) Obasanjo, the former president, recently made a statement that politics is not dirty but the people that play politics, come to play politics with their dirty minds, dirty hearts and dirty character.

And that is why people say politics is dirty. And in that case, we must all begin to think differently. We must cultivate the culture of peace” he said