Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday urged all stakeholders in this weekend’s governorship election in Edo State to conduct themselves peacefully.
He urged all political actors in the state to work towards deepening the nation’s democracy by prioritising peace and security during the election.
In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze in Abuja, the former president urged politicians to pursue their interests within the confines of the law and refrain from activities that could undermine the peace and stability of the state.
He also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INE C) and state institutions involved in managing the election to maintain neutrality, create a level-playing field, and ensure free and fair election.
“It is encouraging that civil rule has endured in the Fourth Republic for 25 years but we should remind our people that democracy loses its value when citizens cannot exercise their political choices in a free and fair atmosphere.
“Security agencies must conduct themselves in optimal neutrality and desist from actions that could alter the setting for a level-playing field and compromise the credibility of the electoral process.
“On its part, the INEC must live up to expectations as an unbiased umpire and inspire confidence in all actors through a transparent voting process.
“There is no doubt that loss of confidence in an election encourages political disputes, social unrest, voter apathy, increased polarisation, and other far-reaching consequences that could undermine development and democratic consolidation.
“For democracy to endure, our leadership recruitment process must be devoid of all forms of manipulation and state institutions have the obligation to guarantee peaceful, credible, and transparent elections.
“That way, citizens will be able to elect leaders of their choice who they will entrust with the legitimacy to deliver good governance, peace and prosperity,” Jonathan stated.
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