A cluster data replication system includes a plurality of network elements and controllers. The controllers form a cluster that is able to elect one of the controllers as a master controller with the others being follower controllers. The elected controller updates, responsive to being elected the master controller, state information in a system database of the elected controller to indicate that the elected one of the controllers is the master controller. The master controller includes one or more objects that are enabled in reaction to the state information, and which coordinate replication of changes to the data, system database, and state information from the master to the follower controllers. Each follower controller includes one or more objects able to, in reaction to the state information, disable initiation of the replication of changes to the data, system database and state information by the one or more objects in each follower controller.