By Favour Nnabugwu
ABUJA — Elder statesman and former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has appealed to Nigerians to put the interest of the nation first above every other interest in casting their votes in a free, fair and credible election.

Shagari, at the launch of the book, “Wind of Hope, the official biography of President Goodluck Jonathan,” in Abuja Tuesday, described the history of President Jonathan as an inspiration and challenge to all Nigerians, especially the young ones.

He said the humility, peace and harmony which the President had inculcated in his leadership was worthy of emulation.

“I like to appeal to all Nigerians to put Nigeria first in all they do. Parties should never be allowed to degenerate to the level where we will willingly sacrifice peace, security and the integrity of Nigeria at the altar of selfish advantage,” Shagari said.

He said the book symbolised the hope of Nigeria that must be respected and appreciated.

Also speaking on the occasion, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’abba, said Nigerians had for a long time been ruled by bad governments with little or no regard for the rule of law.

He said: “Our people have been held down by bad governance by those who lack respect for the rule of law.”

But President Jonathan, Na’abba said, had followed the footsteps of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, adding that “it is interesting to note that we have in power someone who believe in negotiation and peace.”

“Good governance in any country starts with good electoral system and we are as much as experiencing this in the country at present.”

Prof Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information, in his goodwill message, extolled the humility of President Jonathan, saying “we pray that Nigerians will be inspired by hope; that Nigerians will be promoted by hope; that Nigerians will be cultivated by hope; that Nigerians will be elevated by hope; that Nigerians will be bond up together by the wind of hope so that Nigeria will move forward

“It is hope that keeps us going; it is hope that does not allow us to despair; it is hope that makes us to believe that our tomorrow is better.

“Therefore, we persevere and as we persevere, we will succeed and become victorious and we will be victorious to transforming our environment”

The book chronicles Jonathan’s life from the backwaters of rural Niger Delta to the highest political seat in Nigeria, while it also captures the President‘s childhood days in Bayelsa State.