By Lincoln G. Peters
Africa-Press – Liberia. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a caveat to political parties and individuals against taking the laws into their hands during and after these election periods.
Mr. Jonathan who heads the West Africa Elder Forum Elections Observation to Liberia said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) will not accept lawlessness.
Mr. Jonathan made a brief remark during ECOWAS and AU’s preliminary report on Liberia’s election over the weekend.
Mr. Jonathan strongly warned political parties and individuals against taking the laws into their hands and ensure that the court is used to address their plight.
According to him, Liberians, especially political parties and actors must ensure that the peace of Liberia is maintained by all and every political actor and parties.
He pointed out that people from Liberia know that everybody is watching them, therefore, all stakeholders must take step to maintain the peace and don’t go against the law of the land.
“Why we agree that there are legal processes to follow, we don’t want people to take law into their hands. ECOWAS and AU will not accept … [it] because the entire world is here and we are watching,” Mr. Jonathan stated.
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According to him, there can be no offices for state actors or political parties if the country is not in tight and peaceful.
Goodluck Jonathan who is currently in Liberia observing the Liberian election process, appealed to political parties and actors to remain peaceful as the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced preliminary results.
“We urged the people of Liberia especially the key holders to remain peaceful during this period that they are collecting and announcing preliminary results,” said Mr. Jonathan.
“Even after they have announced the results, we emphasize that we must get a country before you can get any office,” he added.
He noted that whether you want to be a member of the House of Senate, Representatives or a governor, Liberia must remain in tight, noting that Liberia belongs to all, not an individual.
The former Nigerian President informed Liberians that there is a huge presence of international observes in the country, extolling them for their presence and impact.
He indicated that it’s the first of its kind for him to see such an influx of international observes and so it speaks to the fact that they take the Liberian elections seriously.
“I can command the NEC for the registration process. I also want to command the NEC for being in the position for conducting their first election after the UN team has gone out,” said Mr. Jonathan.
He noted that they were all worried, but what they have observed means that the NEC is competent to conduct further elections in Liberia with a minimum technical assistance from an international body.
“Let me very sincerely on behalf of the West African Elder Forum congratulate the people of Liberia for this fortunate election,” he said.
“We have seen that democracy is really consolidating in the country,” he said.
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