I don’t want bloodshed in April, says Jonathan

BY Emma Amaize
WARRI – PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said he would not want the blood of any Nigerian to be shed due to electoral violence in the April polls and urged religious leaders to seek the face of God to avert death and make the elections peaceful, free and fair.

From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and President's Mother, Mama Eunice Jonathan during a special thanksgiving service to mark the end of his Presidential campaign at the Aso Villa Chapel, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

President Jonathan who held a consultative meeting with Christian leaders in the country under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, at Warri, Delta State, weekend, frowned at the violent killings and destruction of property in some parts of the country over political differences. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was also in attendance at the meeting.
The meeting, held at the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, was attended by the national president of the CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor among others.
He said the consultative meeting with CAN was for him to appeal to religious leaders for their continuous prayers for a peaceful conduct of the April polls.
“I am not happy with the violence associated with the April polls. In all my electoral campaigns, what I preached is peace and unity in the country. As a presidential candidate, I have tried to have a peaceful campaign,” he said.
He expressed dissatisfaction at the recent incident in Akwa lbom State where lives and property were destroyed in the name of elections, stressing that it was uncalled for, as it does not augur well for the unity of the country.
The President commended religious leaders in the country for their prayers for peace and unity, noting that although he would participate in the elections, he has a duty to ensure peace in the country being the President.
He explained that he would be visiting Muslim leaders in the Northern part of the country in the next couple of days as part of his consultations with religious leaders in the campaign for a peaceful election.
In a brief response, National President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritseafor, commended Jonathan for the visit and advised him to continue with his campaign for a peaceful election.
His words: “We are with you in prayers and as religious leaders, we have the responsibility to pray for the peace and unity of the country.”

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