Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed fresh concerns over electoral violence and national security during the 2023 general elections. The former President at the 2022 peace conference organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Abuja, enjoined candidates and parties to be conscious of avoiding violence in the electoral process, from campaigns to elections. He cautioned that Nigeria must exist before having the next President.
The peace conference titled, “The Role of Elections in a Multi-Ethnic Context,” held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, focused on the trends and threats to a peaceful election and build a multi-stakeholder consensus toward a peaceful general election.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjkpo, former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese, among others, were said to be in attendance.
National Daily gathered that former President Jonathan, at the conference, urged candidates for 2023 general elections to protect the nation from destruction.
President Jonathan was cited to have stated: “those interested in becoming president, governors, and legislators have roles to play in preserving the nation’s democracy.
“We must have a state before you talk about having a President or a governor. If you destroy the country, then where do we need a President.
“Anybody who is interested in leadership at the level of a president, governor, senator, etc, you have the biggest stake to protect the nation.
“Both those who want to be President, governors and their supporters should first know that we need to have a nation before whoever you are supporting can emerge (into leadership position).”
The former President acknowledged the resilience of the Nigerian youths in developing interest in the 2023 general elections, counseling against hate speech. He noted that fake news, hate speech and propaganda are the biggest threat to Nigerian democracy.