President GEJ urges peaceful polls as visits Redemption Camp

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to pray for the peaceful conduct of the general elections.

He said this when he visited the monthly Holy Ghost Service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday.

Stating that he did not intend to campaign in the church service, he said, “Firstly, let me sincerely thank all of you for the good work you have been doing for our country. I have attended services in some of the branches of this church before.

“I’m not here to campaign because you know very well that Daddy G.O. will not allow his altar to be used for campaign.

“I am here to thank you for your prayers for this country. Everyone passes through challenges. The whole world is passing through the challenge of extremism. Unfortunately, we are having our share of the challenge.

“But we are working harder and with our collaboration with other neighbouring countries, we will soon smile as a country.

“As we are going for the general elections, I request you to devote time to pray for peace in our land. Pray for the elections. The Almighty God knows the best for the country and His Will will come to pass. With your prayers, we will conquer.”

Adeboye led the congregation to pray for the President and the country.

“There will be peace before, during and after the elections. The perfect will of God for this country will come to pass,” he said

Meanwhile, the presidential campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State on Friday literally shut the state down.

Schools, markets and shops at Yenagoa, the state capital, were closed to give President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from the state, a welcome.

Major roads leading to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex venue of the rally were cordoned off by security operatives.

There was heavy presence of security personnel all over the place, ostensibly to contain threats by some militant groups that they would disgrace wife of President, Dame Patience Jonathan.

President Jonathan arrived the rally about 2.15pm with a large entourage comprising his deputy, Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan and PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, among others.

Jonathan urged the people of Bayelsa to vote for him as they had always done.

He also urged them to support Governor Dickson, saying there was a synergy between them.

However, some groups in the crowd booed the governor, not minding the President’s appeal to the people that they should work with Dickson. Dickson was also booed while making his welcome address.

The reason for the consistent booing of the governor could not be ascertained, but it was learnt that people were indignant at Dickson because of his alleged tight-fistedness and absence of stomach infrastructure policies in the state.

 

[punch]