See 2023 polls as chance to birth a new country, Jonathan tells Nigerians

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerians to work towards using the 2023 elections to bring forth a new country.

He said this on Saturday in his new year message to Nigerians.

The former president said although the past year came with its challenges, the new year offers the opportunity of starting afresh.

“Last year was, without a doubt, filled with gains and losses. As a country, we experienced a devastating flood that resulted in the death of many lives and the destruction of property and sources of livelihood of millions of citizens,” he said.

“As a people, we survived the horror of the flood amid other national challenges, lived with hope unto God and faith in our nation, and triumphed into this New Year.

“This year holds great possibilities for us all. We must harness the opportunities that lie within the length and breadth of our nation.

“We must see the election as an opportunity to birth a new country and overcome the challenges of the past years. Let us put the nation’s interest first in all our conduct this year.

“The ballot serves as the most suitable vehicle for achieving our shared dream of peace, justice, unity, and prosperity.

“This year, let us be purposeful in our actions, abide in faith and love toward God and country, and eschew all negative tendencies and sentiments that would diminish our collective fortunes of unity, peace, and progress.

“We thank God for the gift of life and the opportunities the New year 2023 presents to us as individuals and as a nation.”