Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said that many politicians would avoid going to court if the judiciary handled election disputes fairly.
Speaking in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, during the inauguration of the new state high court complex, Jonathan expressed his view that approximately 50% of those who resort to legal action do so because they feel cheated by the electoral management system.
“My thinking is that 50 percent of those who go to court go to court because they felt they were cheated by the electoral management system; they were rigged out,” Jonathan said.
“When you feel naturally aggrieved, you have to go to court. So assuming the elections are properly conducted, they know they failed the election, but they feel they can use the judiciary to declare them winners.
“If the judiciary doesn’t declare who doesn’t win the election that they are winners, that many 50 per cent will not go to court.
“In South Africa, the electoral management body will never compromise, they all know. If you lose the election, you just wait for the next election. You don’t need to go to court.
“Because if you go to court, the judiciary too will not compromise. So you will not get anything.”
Jonathan also praised the Delta State government’s efforts to improve the working environment for judicial officers.
He commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for focusing on infrastructural development and completing projects initiated by previous administrations.
Jonathan said the project, which was started in 1991, is proof of the government’s dedication to continuity and development.
“There are some projects that are very fundamental to the growth and development of the state. We expect anybody who takes over the government to continue them, and you are doing exactly that,” Jonathan said.
“From the history of the project given by the chief judge of the state and you, this project started in 1991, and you are the one who has crowned it.
“The master of ceremony did mention that when you were the speaker, you returned N500 million unspent money, and I tell you that this certificate you have gotten is more than a PhD certificate.
“It is not easy for a public officer or even a civil servant to refund money to the government. In most cases, it is extremely difficult, but as a speaker, you were able to do that. That shows that you are somebody with a high level of integrity, and you can be trusted.
“Continue to manage the resources of the state in that manner and use the money in a way that will affect the people.”
