Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged all political leaders and stakeholders to strengthen the nation’s democracy by prioritizing peace and security in the upcoming Edo governorship election on Saturday.
In a statement from his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja, Jonathan called on politicians to pursue their objectives lawfully and to avoid actions that could jeopardize the state’s peace and stability.
He noted that while it is commendable that civil governance has persisted for 25 years in the Fourth Republic, it’s crucial to remember that democracy loses its significance if citizens cannot freely exercise their political choices in a fair environment.
Jonathan emphasized that state institutions involved in the electoral process must uphold neutrality to ensure a fair playing field and facilitate a credible election.
He pointed out that the Edo election places a moral responsibility on state agencies, particularly the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to fulfill their roles as impartial referees in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Security agencies must maintain optimal neutrality and avoid actions that could disrupt the fairness of the election and undermine its credibility,” he stated.
He also urged the INEC to meet expectations as an impartial overseer and to build confidence among all stakeholders through a transparent voting process.
Jonathan warned that a loss of trust in elections can lead to political disputes, social unrest, voter disengagement, increased polarization, and other serious consequences that could hinder development and democratic stability.
“For democracy to thrive, our process for selecting leaders must be free from manipulation, and state institutions must ensure peaceful, credible, and transparent elections.”
This approach would enable citizens to elect leaders they trust to provide good governance, peace, and prosperity.
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