Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has stressed the need for electoral management bodies in the African continent to be free to discharge their responsibilities in order to deliver credible elections.

Jonathan made the call while delivering his address as the guest speaker at the 2021 Annual African Bar Association Conference holding in Niamey, Niger Republic.

A statement released on Monday by the media office of the former president titled, ‘Former President Jonathan tasks African lawyers on democracy, rule of law,’ quoted him as saying: “There is no doubt that the independence of the electoral management bodies is the key plank upon which a thriving democracy rests.

“I have always made the case that a truly democratic system narrows the space for strife and conflicts.

“It is therefore the prerogative of the legal professionals to not only protect the independence of the electoral management bodies, but also seek to ensure the integrity of electoral processes.”

He also enjoined African lawyers across the continent to use their calling to promote justice, equity and the rule of law.