Obasanjo cautions Ghanian political leaders against violence in December 7 poll
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for a peaceful conduct of the Ghanian election scheduled to hold on December 7, just as he mourned the demise of the former President of the country, Jerry Rawlings,
Penpushing reports that, Obasanjo while advocating for peaceful election in a there page letter written to Ghana’s major political parties, New Patriotic Party(NPP) and National Democratic Congress(NDC), emphasised the need for peaceful electioneering for the country’s stability.
The Nigerian former President situating his reasons within the above reality and peculiarities of elections in Africa tasked the two parties to ensure violence-free election irrespective of provocations from either camp.
“I write to you, leaders of the two main political parties in Ghana, to urge you to do all you can to ensure a peaceful conduct of the general elections. My concern about the elections in Ghana is not only as an African but also because of our shared colonial history, our anthropological background and the fact that I began my military career from Teshie, Ghana, and without that I would perhaps not have been what I am today;, he said
“As leaders of the two main political parties, this is the legacy you have been entrusted to preserve heading into the elections. Your role is unique in that, the NPP and the NDC are the main players, have made significant contributions to the peace and stability of Ghana and are vested with the capacity, influence and control to constructively shape national discussions and processes such as the upcoming elections.
“In this vein, the success or failure of the elections, a key aspect of democratic consolidation in Ghana will largely depend on the posture of the NPP and NDC leadership and how that is manifested by the actions of their supporters,” he said, identifying the country as Africa’s beacon of democracy.
Penpushing also reports that, Obasanjo praised Ghana’s political class for their “admirably high level of political maturity in handling their differences and ensuring that elections remain issues-based.”
The former Nigerian leader urged all players, especially the presidential candidates of the two dominant parties, to exhibit the spirit of statesmanship irrespective of who emerges victorious in the coming election.
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