Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has charged politicians and their followers to eschew violence and conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner in Saturday’s governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.

Mr Jonathan made the call in a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Jonathan also urged the electoral management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies to be professional and patriotic in the discharge of their responsibilities during and after the elections.

The former President said that democracy drew its strength from the people, adding that “a man who means well for his people would not recruit thugs to maim and kill the very people he wants to govern.”

Reiterating that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen, Mr Jonathan urged all stakeholders to jettison actions that could jeopardise the peaceful conduct of the elections.

“As citizens of voting age in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi to go to the polls for the governorship election on Saturday, I urge all electorate and politicians to avoid violence and conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner.

“Let us refrain from all activities that will jeopardize the collective peace and stability of our states and our country.

“Let us resist the temptation and inducements that may be deployed as agents of destruction.

“For democracy to endure and be impactful, we must ensure that the leadership recruitment process, especially elections, is credible, transparent, fair and peaceful.

“I urge the electoral management body, security agencies and other stakeholders to be professional and patriotic in the discharge of their responsibilities during and after the elections.

“Democracy draws its strength from the people; let us work to strengthen the confidence of the people by ensuring that the electoral process is peaceful and transparent,“ the former president said.

Mr Jonathan added that it was the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to allow the people to choose their leaders peacefully.

(NAN)