Ahead of next month’s general elections, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
presidential candidate and incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned
members of his Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) to ensure that
campaigns are issues-based, devoid of personal attacks on presidential
candidates of the opposition.
Jonathan gave the charge yesterday in Abuja during the
inauguration of his campaign team led by former PDP National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu
Ali.
The President who noted that his achievements in office remained his
unique selling points, urged the PCO to seek support for the party across the
country, but cautioned the team to be civil in their conduct.
He said: “Our creditable performance in the past four years should be
our strongest selling point, as we go to the campaign fields. Flaunt our
achievements in all parts of the country; tell the story of what we have
achieved and let the facts and the figures be heard in every nook and cranny of
Nigeria.
“In doing this, you must be civil, decorous and law-abiding. I have
repeatedly promised Nigerians and the international community that as much as
it lies within our powers, the coming general elections will be free, fair,
credible and violence-free. I made that pledge with all seriousness and I fully
intend to fulfill it.
“As agents of the ruling party, all eyes will be on you during the
campaigns and elections. I therefore, expect nothing, but the highest standards
of exemplary conduct from you as your worthy contribution to the fulfilment of
our pledge of peaceful and successful elections.
“Some other politicians and campaigners are threatening fire and
brimstone. Do not join them. Some other parties are pulling down other people’s
posters. That is primitive. Please, do not join them. Every Nigerian must
be free to campaign anywhere. Thuggery, violence and malpractice or rigging
must have no place in our campaign and electoral activities. Do not join
those who threaten to start fires and turn them into infernos in our country.
“I assure you and all Nigerians that whoever foments trouble before,
during and after the elections will be promptly and decisively dealt with
according to the law. With all our party leaders and members, we are going into
this election season to legitimately seek our people’s mandate for further
service, consolidation and continuity of progress for our country.
“We must place our hope for victory in nothing else but the support and
confidence of the great majority of our people, and the blessing of Almighty
God. We will ensure that the people’s votes count and that their will prevails,
as it should, in every true democracy.”
He said members of the Presidential Campaign Organisation were
selected based on their individual record of diligence, competence and
integrity. “You have all been invited to serve our great party in this
capacity, in recognition of your loyalty, dedication, commitment to the
democratic cause, and your outstanding individual talents.
“Without doubt, the forthcoming elections mark a critical point in our
nation’s history. The eyes of the international community are focused on the
transition that lies ahead of us; the fifth post-military rule general
elections that will be conducted under a civilian dispensation in Nigeria. The
world is asking: will Nigeria get it right? My categorical response to that is:
Yes, we must. And surely, we will. It is your duty to ensure that through your
campaigns, and activities, this primary objective is not lost. Our commitment
to free, fair, credible, and violence-free elections remains unshaken. That
should also be your own commitment as we go to the field to seek the people’s
mandate once again.”
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