TheCable

Ahead of Saturday gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections across the nation, President Goodluck Jonathan has urged politicians contesting for various offices to respect the decision of the people.

In a statement on Friday, the president encouraged Nigerians to turn out en masse to perform their civic duties in the promotion of a new Nigeria.

“As Nigeria returns to the polls tomorrow, I encourage all registered voters to come out en masse and exercise their right to vote,” he said.

“I have instructed our security agents to fully facilitate the right of Nigerians to choose leaders of their choice at the gubernatorial and assembly levels by remaining non partisan and ensuring that we all vote in a secure environment.

“Because of their sacrifice in securing our nation, we can all be confident to come out and vote our conscience all over the federation.”

The outgoing president further urged those contesting elections at state levels to respect the will of the people.

“I urge contestants to respect the will of the people as we promote a new Nigeria that is a pacesetter and light bearer in the practice of democratic politics without bitterness. May God bless Nigeria.”

Jonathan lost the March 28 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress and conceded defeat before the final result was declared.

He put a phone call through to his Buhari, to congratulate him on a well-deserved victory – the first of such in the nation’s political history.