Before the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday, former president Goodluck Jonathan urged politicians to avoid playing a “do or die” game in politics.
At Bayelsa State’s Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Jonathan delivered the warning on Wednesday just after paying Governor Douye Diri a visit to express his condolences on the passing of his father, Pa Abraham Diri.
The former President emphasised that politics should be about service rather than personal gain, and he advised politicians to hold off on taking office until God’s timing was right.
In a democracy, the people, according to him, are crucial, and he questioned why those who want to lead seek to impose their will on the populace.
Also, he gave state residents advice on how to behave peacefully during the House of Assembly elections.
Speaking about the late Pa Diri, Jonathan acknowledged that losing a father is difficult but advised the family to find comfort in the admirable legacy he left behind.
The former president asked God to provide the Diri family the strength to endure the loss, noting that the fact that Pa Diri produced a governor indicated that he instilled good characteristics in his children.
“Leadership is not through force,” he declared. Serving the public is the goal. Thus, you cannot murder the people before leading them if you wish to be their leader.
The difficulties in Bayelsa will be minor because there will be no governorship election on Saturday. Yet, I admonish our people to act honourably.
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“When you go for a condolence visit, sometimes you lack words,” he continued. Although we were fortunate that our father survived for 88 years, it is not the most significant factor. What important is how you will be viewed in the future. He clearly led a good life based on the messages we have received thus far.
“He had positive traits that most likely contributed to him producing a governor. We are here to comfort you and your family, joining the governor and members of his family and community.
Senator Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa, responded by describing the former president’s visit as unique and claiming that his presence had strengthened his family and community.
He said he first met Dr. Jonathan while he was the deputy governor of Bayelsa and that they quickly grew friends. When Dr. Jonathan became governor, he named him Commissioner in his government.
