Jonathan urges voters to abide by INEC rules; meets religious leaders in Lagos
By Daniel Idonor, ABUJA
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged all eligible voters in the country to abide strictly by the rules guiding the 2011 elections starting today with the National Assembly polls.
From right, President Goodluck Jonathan, Govs Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, Theodore Orji of Abia and Peter Obi of Anambra during the president’s one-day working visit to Abia State yesterday. Photo: State House.
The resuscitation of the 14 Brigade was initiated by the President as part of the strategy to check the spate of kidnapping in the state and the South-East in general.
He reaffirmed the commitment of government to the sustenance of peace and security not only in the zone, but the nation as a whole, saying, “this administration will sustain on-going efforts at ensuring peace and security in the state, the entire south-east and the nation as a whole.
“The re-establishment of the Ohafia barracks will no doubt enhance general security which is central to engender a sustained growth and development in the zone”.
“As the 2011 election commence tomorrow (today), I appeal to all Nigerians especially the political class to ensure that the greater national interest underline their every act. We must never allow contest for political office to degenerate to a level when it becomes a threat to our national peace, security and stability”.
“I call on all eligible voters to come out tomorrow and follow the guidelines as laid out by INEC and cast their votes for their preferred candidates in an atmosphere of peace, harmony and mutual respect”.
…meets religious leaders in Lagos
Meanwhile, the President on Thursday night met religious leaders in Lagos where he again urged them to pray fervently for peaceful conduct of the 2011 elections despite the initial logistic challenges that necessitated the postponement of election dates.
The meeting which took place at the State House, Marina in Lagos also served as a forum for the president to reassure the clerics of his administration’s commitment to conduct a free, fair and credible election this year.
According to sources close to the State House, President Jonathan used the occasion to restate his confidence in the ability of the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to conduct credible election if Nigerians are willing to give him the needed encouragement to do so, arguing that what happened last Saturday and his eventual apology stood him (Jega) out as a noble man who owns up when he errs.
He therefore appealed to the religious leaders to mobilise their adherents across the nation to turn out en masse for today’s elections and the subsequent ones despite the initial hiccups, pointing out that Jega alone cannot give us the needed credible elections.
“He needs our support and especially the religious leaders who are regarded as the custodian of any nation’s conscience,” he appealed.
