Off season polls: ''You can't kill, govern graves'

Former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has advised political actors to shun act of misconduct that could lead to crisis in Saturday November 11 across Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.

Jonathan who gave the advice when he featured on Arise television interview reiterated that “no political ambition worth the blood of any Nigerian”.

He advised politicians and stakeholders in the State not encourage criminality in the electoral process, especially in recruitment electoral process.

The former President said, “If you meant well for your people and your want to govern them, you won’t recruit thugs to kill or maim people.

“You cannot kill and govern graves. You can only govern those who are alive”, he said, ” encourage these young people to go to school and get something doing, not thuggery, which is not a business”, he said.

Jonathan also sued for the strengthening of democratic values in Nigeria particularly on the part of electoral Management body to engender trust and participation.

Why INEC need to learn

The former President urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve their performance in the off season elections in the three States and upgrade the skills of electoral officials on electoral duty.

The electoral body need to learn, especially where there are disputes. I believe that elections in these States would be better than past general elections.

Expectoration:

My expectation is high. I believe INEC will deliver on credible election. Politics is a game of contest elective positions.

Advice:

Whenever the issue of thuggery relating to our elections are mentioned, it is the youth that is mentioned. I feel relatively sad. Whereas why will some young men arrogate to themselves unenvious title of ‘Thug’. And thuggery has become a business for some youths. Thuggery and arm robbery are the same thing. They use the same weapons and steal what does not belong to them. Nobody should give a christian name to it.

Economy:

Although the economy is a factor. However, the economy will improve. We should encourage compulsory education to reduce social vices in Nigeria. I am sure that the security agencies will live up to their billings by preventing thugs to create problems in the electoral process.