Elections are not war – Goodluck Jonathan tells Ghana politicians

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has urged politicians to view politics as a game, not a war.

He emphasized that if one loses, there is always a chance to win at another time.

“There are some people who feel they must win and if they do not win, then the heavens will come down, no Heavens will not come down,” he said.

Mr. Jonathan made the call during a visit by the West African Elders’ Forum, which is composed of former presidents, to the National Elections Security Taskforce (NESTF) ahead of the December 7, 2024, elections.

“We are all models, we all pass away, the country will stay, and we should all do. What people remember us for is positive, things not bringing crisis into our countries, so we plead with the politicians to take election as a game,” he said.

Mr. Jonathan said Ghana was the leading model of democracy in Africa.

“We want the country to maintain that position and we believe that this election will not be different. We want an election that will be peaceful election, that will be transparent election that will be credible, and all the stakeholders will be happy,” he said.

Mr. Jonathan pleaded with his colleagues to accept the outcome of the elections as only one person will come out as a winner.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of the Public Affairs Unit of the Police, assured that the National Elections Security Taskforce (NESTF) was fully prepared to maintain law and order before, during, and after the elections.

Mr. Jonathan was accompanied by other former presidents, including that of Burkina Faso.

Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), who also led a European delegation on a courtesy call to the NESTF, pledged their support for the deployment of the women’s branch of the Association of African Electoral Authorities.

The permanent Secretariat of the association is based at the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

“So, we would like to thank chairwoman Jean Mensa for the invitation and for the possibility to support the deployment of the uh African Association of electoral authorities here in Ghana for the elections of the December 7, 2024.

“The team is also here to take lessons, learn where the different representatives of electromagnetics can actually consider for their own organization of Electoral processes,” he said.

Source: GNA

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