Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Friday said elections were not a do-or-die affair, adding that his ambition to be re-elected as governor for a second term is not worth the life of any resident in the state.
Yahaya made this disclosure in his statewide broadcast monitored by our correspondent ahead of Saturday’s governorship and state House of Assembly polls in Gombe.
According to him, elections require utmost tolerance, mutual respect, as he urged political gladiators to eschew bitterness and violence.
He said, “On a final note, I want to once again commend our people for the excellent conduct during the last elections. I call on the people to continue on the path of peace, tolerance and mutual respect.
“Election is not a do-or-die affair, and electoral contest should not be the basis for political bitterness, ill-will and violence. Although our political choices and affiliations may differ, we are bonded by common destiny as citizens of Gombe State. In the end, it is the Almighty Allah that gives and takes power, to whoever he wills and whenever he wills.”
Yahaya stressed that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Gombe resident.
Restating his resolve to ensure a smooth electoral process, the governor said that the peace of the state remained key to him.
“For us, the interest, wellbeing and stability of Gombe State is very paramount. It is above any personal ambition or partisan consideration. I have always stated that my ambition is not worth the blood or wellbeing of any citizen of Gombe State.
“Yesterday, I was at the inter-party peace parley to restate our commitment to ensuring the peaceful conduct of the governorship and state assembly elections because I believe we owe it a duty to our state to leave a legacy of peace, development and progress. I am therefore appealing to all politicians and groups to desist from any act or utterance capable of jeopardising the peace and stability of our dear state.
“I would like to commend them for their hard work and professionalism during the previous election. They have given us the assurances to deploy every available legal means to ensure our people are able to vote in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility and non-interference. I assure them of our continuous support and cooperation in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities,” Yahaya added.
