President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Friday said Saturday’s elections and those of April 11 offer Nigerians another opportunity of electing leaders of their choice.
Jonathan, however, appealed to Nigerians to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner in order to have violence-free election.
In a national broadcast ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, the President said it was heartwarming that the Independent National Electoral Commission had announced its readiness to conduct the elections.
He also said the efforts of the Armed Forces to clear most of the North East of the Boko Haram insurgents had given the reassurance of the elections holding without hinderance.
Jonathan, however, warned this who may be nursing the ambition of festering their political nests through violence to have a rethink or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
He said: “Let me warn, however, that as President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am under oath to protect the lives of all Nigerians and the security of our country at all times. I will never abdicate my responsibilities in that regard.
“Democracy allows dissent. It encourages differences and even fervent disagreements. But elections must never be mistaken for war or an opportunity to set fellow citizens against each other and tear our beloved nation apart.
“Those who may harbor any intentions of testing our will by unleashing violence during the elections in order to advance their political ambitions should think again as all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that any persons who breach the peace or cause public disorder during or after the elections are speedily apprehended and summarily dealt with according to our laws.
“The nation’s security agencies are also fully prepared and ready to deal decisively with any group or persons who attempt to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections or cause any form of public disorder.”
Jonathan said his government had done enough since coming into power to warrant reelection.
He said: “My administration has done its utmost best in the past four years to deliver on our promise to positively transform our country.
“Tomorrow’s election is another very important milestone as we continue our march towards the fulfillment of our God-given potential for greatness.
“The election offers us another opportunity to empower leaders of our choice once again, and to show the world that genuine democracy is alive and well in our beloved nation.”
Jonathan urged Nigerians not to be used by anyone to perpetrate violence, saying no election or position is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
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