Card Reader Rejected Me, My Wife, My Mother, Almost Set Nigeria Ablaze in 2015 – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has recounted his experience during the 2015 general elections, revealing how the card reader failed to recognize him, his wife, and his mother, almost causing national unrest. Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa, held in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan emphasized the crucial role of electoral management bodies and security agencies in ensuring credible elections.

The event, themed *”Strengthening Democratic Processes in West Africa: Lessons from the 2024 Elections and Prospects for Future Elections,”* was supported by the European Commission, ECOWAS, and GIZ. In his address, Jonathan stressed the need for independent electoral institutions and non-partisan security forces, stating that the stability of any democracy is tied to how elections are conducted and policed. He noted that failure in these areas could undermine both the credibility of the electoral process and the legitimacy of governance.

Jonathan also praised the growing involvement of young people in the electoral process, describing their participation as a significant step in democratic reforms. While reflecting on his personal experience in the 2015 election, he humorously recalled how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under the leadership of then-chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, introduced the card reader system, which failed to recognize him and his family members.

“When Jega was there, he introduced the card reader, but during the election, the card reader rejected me and almost set the country ablaze. Because the card reader rejected me, rejected my wife, rejected my mother,” Jonathan said.

Despite such challenges, he noted the importance of technological advancements in electoral processes and commended recent elections in Liberia, Senegal, and Ghana, citing high voter turnout and smooth transitions of power as signs of democratic progress. He singled out Senegal’s electoral process as one of the best he had observed in Africa.

Former INEC chairman Prof. Jega also spoke at the event, acknowledging concerns over democratic setbacks in the region but highlighting the strong public demand for accountable and representative governance. He called on citizens, civil society organizations, and political actors to actively push for credible and sustainable democratic development.

Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, described the conference as a critical platform for evaluating electoral reforms in West Africa. He emphasized the need for sustained efforts to improve electoral transparency and accountability, noting that discussions at the event aimed to provide an in-depth analysis of the 2024 elections and explore opportunities for strengthening democracy in the country.