President Goodluck Jonathan, in a nationwide broadcast on Friday, urged Nigerians to go out en masse today and exercise their electoral franchise by voting for credible leaders.

Speaking for 10 minutes, Jonathan also urged Nigerians to exercise caution and be ready to accept the results of the elections.

The President said that the government would deploy all institutions of state to deal with anyone, who would attempt to upset the electoral process or foment trouble.

“In spite of the many challenges we have had to contend with since 1999, our present democratic dispensation continues to endure and grow stronger in keeping with the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

“We have all worked very hard to nurture and strengthen our democratic institutions and promote the good governance practices, which they were designed to deliver for the better wellbeing of our people.

“I believe I can say without fear of contradiction that we all clearly cherish the democracy we now have and will never willingly give it up for any other form of governance.

“This much cherished democracy of ours is about to be put to the test once again. I urge you all to troop out en masse to peacefully perform your civic duty of voting for leaders of your choice tomorrow.

“As we do so, let us all political party leaders, contestants, party members, party agents, supporters and ordinary voters alike be very conscious of the fact that the eyes of the entire world are on us.

“We must therefore comport ourselves in a manner that will further strengthen our democracy and consolidate our place in the comity of truly democratic nations.”

Jonathan recalled that when he assumed office, he had promised to continue to deliver free and fair elections,” he stated.

The President, therefore, assured that his administration would not go back on the promise it

made on assumption of office that it would deliver, freer, fairer, and more credible elections in the country.

“In keeping with that commitment, the Federal Government has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) all necessary support to ensure that it conducts very successful elections tomorrow and on April 11.

“We have all been assured that INEC is fully ready to for the elections.I believe that we can all trust that they are certainly more ready now than they may have been before security issues and other concerns necessitated a rescheduling of the dates for the 2015 General Elections,” he said.

As an administration, President Jonathan maintained, he welcome the fact that millions of Nigerians, who were yet to receive their permanent voter cards as at Feb 14, and would have therefore been unfairly disenfranchised if the polls had gone ahead on that date, have seized the opportunity of the rescheduling to collect their cards and can now exercise their rights to vote tomorrow.

He urged all political parties and politicians in the country to allow the free will of the people to be expressed in the elections without any hindrance in keeping with the principles and tenets of democratic governance.

“I call on all political parties and politicians in the country to allow the free unfettered will of our people to be expressed without any hindrance in the coming elections in keeping with the hallowed principles and tenets of democratic governance which we all profess.

“The will of the people freely expressed through the ballot is the bedrock of all democracies and ours cannot be an exception.

“Let us all, therefore, be prepared as true democrats, to graciously accept the outcome of the elections as the rightful choice of our people from whom all political powers in our democracy must emanate.

“My administration has done its utmost best in the past four years to deliver on our promise to positively transform our country.

“Tomorrow’s election is another very important milestone as we continue our march toward the fulfilment of our God-given potential for greatness.

“Election offers us another opportunity to empower leaders of our choice once again and to show the world that genuine democracy is alive and well in our beloved nation.

“I would like to restate my belief that no political ambition can justify violence or the shedding of the blood of our people.

“I reaffirm, once again, my personal preparedness to ensure fair play during the elections and to deploy the resources and institutions of state only in the manner prescribed by our laws.

“Let me warn, however, that as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am under oath to protect the lives of all Nigerians and the security of our country at all times.

“I will never abdicate my responsibility in that regard,” he also said.

President Jonathan expressed his happiness with the successes achieved by the armed forces in their fight against insurgency in the North-East and the return of displaced persons to their homes.

“We are also glad that our gallant armed forces have successfully stemmed the seizure of Nigerian territories in the North East by the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

“They have recaptured most of the communities and territories formally occupied by the insurgents, making it possible for thousands of internally displaced Nigerians to begin returning to their homes and communities.

“I heartily commend the various courageous men and women of our armed forces for their immense sacrifices, which they continue to make in defending the nation and protecting its citizens,” he stated.

•Photo shows President Jonathan.

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