Former President Goodluck Jonathan, his vice Namadi Sambo have implored presidential candidates of political parties to refrain from divisive rhetorics and attacks on personalities during electioneering.
They urged those seeking for one public office or the other to base their campaigns on issues that affect the people ahead of the 2023 elections.
The elder statesmen, who spoke at the 2022 IBB Legacy Dialogue in Abuja yesterday, also called on supporters of the candidates to shun indifference, rise against hate speeches, and be mindful of the country’s fragile unity and stability.
In his remarks, ex-President Jonathan stated that the forthcoming elections were critical to the people’s collective aspirations, shared prosperity and development.
“I, therefore, urge our politicians to be mindful of our unity and stability and exercise discipline in their campaigns and other political activities.
“To the rest of us, this period does not afford us the luxury of indifference. We must be determined to participate in our democratic processes.
“It requires that we must mobilise to vote those who will manage the affair of the country with honesty in order to guarantee peace, justice, unity and progress in our land.”
Speaking also, former VP Sambo, who was chairman of the occasion, stressed the need for inclusiveness in governance and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to make the right investments to continue to make Nigeria a reference point for other African nations.
He said: “Political stability in Nigeria’s democracy is as strategic as stability in Africa’s democratic journey.
“Since the return of democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999, we have had six successful elections, which is a clear indication of how democracy has become the best method of governance in our dear country.”
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