Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states, former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has charged politicians and their followers to eschew violence and conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully.
Dr Jonathan also urged the electoral management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the security agencies to be professional and patriotic in discharging their responsibilities during and after the election.
The former president, who said this in a statement he released on Friday, further noted that democracy draws its strength from the people, adding that “a man who means well for his people would not recruit thugs to maim and kill the very people he wants to govern.”
Reiterating that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen, Dr Jonathan said: “As citizens of voting age in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States go to the polls for the governorship election tomorrow, I urge all electorates and politicians to avoid violence and conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner.
“Let us refrain from all activities that will jeopardise the collective peace and stability of our states and our country. A man who means well for his people would not recruit thugs to maim and kill the very people he wants to govern. Let me reiterate that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any citizen. Therefore, let us resist the temptations and inducements that may be deployed as agents of destruction.
“For democracy to endure and be impactful, we must ensure that the leadership recruitment process, especially elections, is credible, transparent, fair, and peaceful. I urge the electoral management body, security agencies, and other stakeholders to be professional and patriotic in the discharge of their responsibilities during and after the election.
“Democracy draws its strength from the people; let us work to strengthen the confidence of the people by ensuring that the electoral process is peaceful and transparent. It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to allow the people to choose their leaders peacefully. That way, our democracy will grow and become sustainable.”
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Jet crash: I’m in good spirits — Minister of Power, Adelabu
Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, on Saturday allayed fears about his safety following Friday’s incident near…
Senator Natasha pays condolence visit to family of late Ohinoyi
While addressing sympathisers at the Palace of the late Ohinoyi, in Okene, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan noted the former was…
Appeal Court sacks Senate Minority Whip, Nwokocha
Nwokocha, Tribune Online learned, represents Abia Central in the red chamber of the National Assembly on the platform of…
Why I was not part of Big Brother All Stars —Tobi Bakre
Former Big Brother Naija star, Tobi Bakre has said he didn’t regret not being part of the Big Brother Naija All Stars edition, noting that his…
What critics of Rufai Oseni don’t know about journalism
A viral, contentious dialogic confrontation between Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni and one Jesutega Onokpasa, identified as a lawyer and “APC chieftain,” on…
FULL LIST: Osimhen, Gift Orban bag nominations at 2023 CAF Awards
Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, has been nominated for the 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men Player of…