2015: Jonathan pledges free, fairelections

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday
assured Nigerians that his administration
will give the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) all the
necessary support to ensure it delivers
very free, fair, credible and acceptable
elections in 2015.
This is even as he has also assured that
the security agencies will also be
empowered to enhance their ability to
ensure that the elections which would
strengthen democracy in the country, are
peaceful and violence free. He spoke
during the Christmas message delivered
in Abuja.
The President has also urged the political
class to be law-abiding and place the
greater interests of the nation above all
personal or sectional interests in the
countdown to the elections.
He urged everybody to be more
statesman-like, conduct issues-based
campaigns, and eschew the promotion of
falsehood, division and hatred of others
as they seek votes.
President Jonathan, while urging
Nigerians to pray for the country, said,
“the greater internalization of the virtues
of love for our fellowmen, tolerance,
Godliness, honesty, fairness to others,
selflessness, and peaceful co-existence
with others, by all adult Nigerians, and
the inculcation of the same in our youth,
will definitely help our dear nation to
overcome most of its present challenges”.
Meanwhile, the First Lady, Dame Patience
Jonathan, has urged Nigerians to emulate
the virtues of love, peace and tolerance,
which are the attributes of Jesus Christ.
In her Christmas message, she asked
Nigerians to seek the face of the Lord as
government tackles the current challenges
facing the nation, asking them not to
relent in their prayers for peace especially
before, during and after the elections.
Mrs. Jonathan noted that the nation
needs the support and understanding of
all Nigerians at this critical moment in its
history, urging them to support the
leadership with prayers and inter-
cessions in order for the Lord to favour
the country.
She called on Nigerians to use the yuletide
to ask God to grant the leaders, wisdom
for peace, progress and prosperity.