Jonathan said this at a meeting with Niger Delta Youth Leaders on Monday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday tasked
Nigerians to embrace peace and shun violence ahead of the rescheduled
general elections.
Jonathan, who was in Bayelsa, his home state
at the weekend for the polls earlier scheduled for Feb. 16 and March 2
but postponed by one week to Feb. 23 and March 9, called on Nigerians to
remain peaceful.
Jonathan spoke at a meeting with Niger Delta
Youth Leaders on Monday in Yenagoa, where he urged the electorate to
shun vote buying, instead vote according to their conscience.
“Use of money to induce voters has become very prevalent in Nigeria.
“It is more pronounced here than many
African countries I have been to monitor elections and it is unhealthy
for our development.
“My NGO is however, working on advocacy against it.
“Politics should be about the people but
anyone who wants to make quick money should go into business and quit
politics, which is all about service to the people.
“People should vote according to the dictates of their conscience and not be induced by money.
“I have said it several times that no ambition should be worth spilling of the blood of any Nigerian.
President Goodluck Jonathan and APC Presidential candidate,
Muhammadu Buhari at the 2015 general elections sensitization workshop on
non-violence in Abuja.
“Peace is fundamental to economic development and the reports of insecurity and violence scares away investors.
“Anytime
someone is killed either by security agencies or by any other exra
judicial means, it affects the reputation of the country adversely and
that is why peace building is very essential, especially with the youth.
“Our youths are critical in our democracy
because the future belongs to them, so, my advise is that we should be
patient and shun violence in the coming elections,”Jonathan said.
Earlier, Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, a
Niger Delta Youth leader, said that representatives of Niger Delta
youths from across the region were in Bayelsa to applaud the former
President for his efforts at peace building.
He said that his exemplary leadership style of
politics without violence and bitterness was an inspiration to Niger
Delta youths.
West, who is also a Senior Special Adviser on Niger Delta Youth matters to the Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, noted that Jonathan’s influence on the youth of the region was responsible for the prevailing peace in the region.
He said that youths from the region were in
Bayelsa to seek counsel from the former President following the shift in
election date.
President Goodluck Jonathan
Mr Peretubo Oweilaemi, President of Ijaw Youth Council,
said that youths from the Niger Delta region remained proud of the
former President, who relinquished power in the interest of peace and
development of Nigeria.
“The emphasis of our amiable leader, Dr
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on peace and peace building is very
commendable, in spite of his political persuasion, he has chosen to
always advocate peace and we the youth are learning from him.
“We have seen the region, which is very
crucial to the country’s economy grow in peace because you advocate and
preach peace all the time since you left office as President,” Oweilaemi said.
NAN reports that leaders of Non-Violent Youth
groups including: Niger Delta Youths Coalition for Peace and Progress,
Ex-Militant Leaders, who embraced the Presidential Amnesty programmes,
among others were at the meeting.