By Carol V. Utulu
#TrackNigeria: Pa Chukwuma Okonjo, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Delta, has condemned the reported violence in some parts of the country during the Saturday poll, and called for tolerance among Nigerians.
Okonjo, father of former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made the appeal in a chat on Saturday.
The monarch spoke shortly after casting his vote in Ward 3, Unit 6, Nnabuwa Primary School, Ogwashi-Uku.
“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,” Okonjo said.
The royal father said that great countries all over the world were built by patriotic citizens who believe in the unity of their nation.
According to him, no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence and political bitterness.
“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.
“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.
“Let us eschew political bitterness and remember that Nigeria is our only country and we have a responsibility to make it peaceful for all,” Okonjo said.
Meanwhile, a foremost labour leader, Chief Frank Kokori, has called for improvements in the country’s electoral process by INEC “delisting political parties that are not really visible in the political scene.”
Chief Kokori, said at Oviore, Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state the voting sheet was becoming unnecessarily large.
”Even I, an educated person, found it difficult identifying political parties and their logos,” he said.
According to him, the illiterate electorate could not even find or locate the logos of the parties of their choice because of the size of the ballot papers.
He therefore called on INEC to reduce the number of political parties in the country. (NAN)
