“We are all Nigerians and what should be uppermost in our minds is the progress and greatness of our nation. This greatness can only be achieved when we live together in peace and unity without minding our political differences,” a 90-year-old royal father of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State prayed.
Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, who is the father of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the then Nigeria’s Minister of Finance voted Saturday for a leader of his choice in his polling unit.
In a tweet by Ngozi, the daughter, the nonagenarian economist wrote “Today, I have come to cast my vote because I believe in the Nigerian project. I want a united Nigeria where every citizen would have a sense of belonging. As a nation, we want a leader that will have the interest of our nation at heart. My concern is for a better Nigeria.”
Accompanied by Prof Kamene, his 88-year-old wife to cast vote, Okonjo enjoined “Let us eschew political bitterness and remember that Nigeria is our only country and we have a responsibility to make it peaceful for all.
“The reports of pockets of violence in parts of the country are worrisome and unacceptable. As citizens of one nation, we need to tolerate one another irrespective of our diverse political interests.
“Nigeria is our only country and we have a responsibility to make it a peaceful and prosperous nation. Great countries were built by patriotic citizens who believe in the unity of their nation. No meaningful dev can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence & political bitterness,” he added.
Meanwhile, Femi Fani-Kayode, the then Minister of Aviation tweeted “I condemn the attack on the Igbos in Lagos. I can confirm that those that attacked them were NOT members of the OPC but rather APC thugs who also attacked and killed their own fellow Yorubas as well. The Igbo are our in-laws and guests in the SW: we shall protect and defend them.”
