Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the electorate must be allowed to vote for who they want as leaders without being intimidated if Nigeria must grow as a nation.
Jonathan said this on Thursday in Yenagoa when the chief historian to Bayelsa State Government, Stephen Olali, visited him at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) headquarters.
The historian took the opportunity to officially unveil his book titled: “16+34=50: The Life and Works of Stephen Temegha Olali (An Autobiographical Anthology).”
Jonathan applauded the author’s efforts and his commitment to mentoring Niger Delta youth in the areas of productivity and non-violence.
The former president said: “If Nigeria will grow as a nation then there is the need to change the nature of politics.
“Until people are allowed to vote or elect their leaders without intimidation and interference we cannot have good governance.
“As a leader, if you think you can shoot yourself to power then the people are irrelevant to you.
“But if you know that you can only get power by the will of the people then you have no option than to work for the interest of the people, protect the people and love them irrespective of where they come from.
“Nobody needs violence to win any elections. Violence undermines the credibility of election.
“Whoever is supported by majority of the people will win elections, but the minority should be allowed to have their say. That is the whole essence of politics.”
