Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerian youth to vote for politicians who believe in the country’s unity.
Jonathan said this on Saturday At an event organised in honour of a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the former President appealed to Nigerians to pay less attention to differences and focus on the issues that foster unity.
Iwuanyanwu, a businessman and politician, will 80 on Sunday.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Igbo Quest for Nigeria’s Unity’, Jonathan said: “Luckily, we are in an election cycle, so my challenge to the youth is to take charge of their future by electing those who believe in our unity, and will promote peace and progress – not those who will erect ethnic walls and religious barriers among our people,” he counselled.
“Collectively, if we work together and accommodate our differences, we can build a nation where everybody will have a sense of belonging, and everyone’s rights will be guaranteed.
“That is the way we must go; a Nigeria where equality and justice reign”, he further said.
The former President said the quest for Nigeria’s unity could be achieved, adding that it however required all stakeholders to work in synergy and imbibe the principles of nationhood above ethnic and religious inclinations.
“Nigeria as a country should know that we need to review certain things”, Jonathan said.
“We cannot become slaves to our challenges. If we work together, we can build a nation where everyone will have a sense of belonging”.
