TheCable

President Goodluck Jonathan says the successful conduct of the 2011 presidential election without violence is proof that the country’s democratic spirit is alive and well.

In his Easter message to Christians, Jonathan noted that this year’s celebration was taking place at a critical period in the history of the nation, and he appealed to Nigerians to make sacrifices for the progress of the country.

“This year’s celebration of Easter is taking place at a period of very critical national choices and decisions, during which we must all be prepared and willing to make sacrifices for greater unity, peace, political stability and progress in our beloved country,” he said in a statement signed by Reuben Abati, his special adviser on media and publicity.

“We must therefore seize the opportunity of the Easter holiday to reflect deeply on what more we need to do as a people, to ensure that the political process in which we are currently engaged is successfully concluded and that our beloved country, Nigeria continues to move towards a better future for all of its citizens.”

The president expressed optimism that the forthcoming gubernatorial election would be conducted peacefully.

“Happily, we have already successfully scaled the hurdle of the presidential and national assembly elections,” he said.

“I am quite hopeful that the gubernatorial and state assembly elections will also be conducted peacefully.

“To the glory and pride of our fatherland, our collective actions since March 28 have assured the world that the democratic spirit is alive and well in our nation.”