Goodluck Jonathan Reacts, Condemns Violence, Killings In Bayelsa State

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the growing violence and killings in his home state of Bayelsa ahead of the November governorship elections in the state.

Jonathan in a personally signed statement on Thursday decried the growing spate of violence which he said is politically motivated.

He called on the politicians and other stakeholders in the state to eschew electoral violence and be prepared to accommodate diverse opinions, pursue peace and act professionally.

Naija News recalls following the violence in Bayelsa, the Police arrested eight with dangerous weapons for allegedly terrorizing the Nembe Bassambiri community.

Reacting, the former President said the development calls for concern.

He wrote on Twitter: “I am concerned about the growing spate of violence in Bayelsa, especially at Nembe Local Government Area where some people have been reported to have been killed and others wounded in the build-up to the November governorship election.

“Such acts of violence should not be entertained in our polity. I condemn all forms of violence and urge community leaders and all leaders of thought to seek to promote peace in our dear state.

“It is sad that this is happening few months to the scheduled November Bayelsa governorship elections. For our democracy to grow on a sustainable basis, politicians should pursue their ambitions with utmost sense of patriotism and without jeopardizing our collective peace and unity.

“In politicking, we should, at all times, be prepared to accommodate diverse opinions, embrace peacebuilding values, espouse people-oriented agenda, while security forces policing the electioneering should act professionally. This is the way to avoid electoral violence in a society like ours.”