Stop Promoting Ethnic Hatred --Jonathan Warns

President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against promoting
divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic hatred in the country following
the outcome of the March 28 elections, warning that those engaged in
such acts should "cease and desist from actions that detract from the
true spirit and culture of democracy envisioned by patriotic men and
women of goodwill in Nigeria.

In a statement yesterday, the Special Adviser to President on Media
and Publicity, Dt Reuben Abati said the president was "concerned about
the negative triumphalism that has been put on display by certain
elements since March 31 which flies in the face of his personal
commitment to post-election peace, unity and national stability".

According to Dr Abati, the president "also condemns the undue
harassment of public officials serving under his administration and
urges all affected persons to continue to perform their lawful duties
without fear".

The statement reads; "As the nation prepares for Saturday's
governorship and State Assembly elections, President Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan calls on all Nigerians to remain peaceful, united and
law-abiding.

"The President condemns the very unseemly attempt by some politicians,
groups and individuals to intimidate others, heat up the polity and
cause public disorder and disaffection in the aftermath of the
Presidential and National Assembly elections.

"President Jonathan is especially concerned about the negative
triumphalism that has been put on display by certain elements since
March 31 which flies in the face of his personal commitment to
post-election peace, unity and national stability.

"The President calls on all those, who through their actions and
utterances, have been promoting divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic
hatred in the country following the outcome of the March 28 elections
to cease and desist from actions that detract from the true spirit and
culture of democracy envisioned by patriotic men and women of goodwill
in Nigeria.

"President Jonathan also condemns the undue harassment of public
officials serving under his administration and urges all affected
persons to continue to perform their lawful duties without fear.

"The President cautions that this should be a time for the healing of
political wounds in the overriding interest of national unity,
stability and progress, not a time for ethnic jingoism and the
settling of scores.

"The Federal Government will not condone any attempt to instigate a
crisis in any part of the country in furtherance of personal political
ambitions.

"President Jonathan assures all Nigerians that his administration
remains fully committed to national progress and the entrenchment of
the best values of democracy for the good of all Nigerians.

"He urges Nigerians to go out en-masse once again on April 11 to vote
for candidates of their choice in the Governorship and State Assembly
elections with the confidence that his administration will do all
within its powers to ensure that they do so in peace, without threats,
intimidation or violence from any quarters".
--Vanguard