KEMI OMONIYI
Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has warned politicians against generating negative energies toward the 2023 general elections, saying such attitude will not bring development in Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning of 1.15km Afi-Uko Ntighe Bridge, in Mbo Local Government Area, AKwa Ibom State on Monday, Jonathan observed that there were elements of some levels of bitterness exhibited by politicians ahead of the February elections.
“We have noticed some levels of bitterness that will not bring development in the build up to the general election.
“The security agencies should not shield any unfortunate miscreant or anybody who commits crime under the guise of politics.
“If you commit arson or any form of violence, you must face the law. Nobody will hide under the cover of election to commit crime.”
Jonathan, who was accompanied by former governor of Kogi State, Capt Idris Wada, noted that development strides by governor Udom Emmanuel in the state was possible through sustainable peace and urged Nigerians to replicate same peace in their various states during the election.
Governor Emmanuel had earlier told his guests that the inaugurated bridge was a fulfilment of his second term election promise for the people and warned critics to stop casting aspersions on the state expenditure, as the Federal Government was still owing oil producing states outstanding sums of over N1trillion.
“Don’t follow such people, Even when the Federal Government openly came up and expressly stated that they are owing oil producing states over N1trillion and they only gave us only N62b in one year.”
Governor Emmanuel said the bridge will not only rekindled economic activities in the area, adding that all local government areas in the state have a share of their own project.
Residents of the area who spoke with our Correspondent said effort to construct the bridge started about 74 years ago but were happy that the bridge, which is adjudged as the sixth longest one in the South-South, has finally been completed.
