Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians against forcing themselves to lead the people.
The former President who spoke ahead of the Saturday elections when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri over the loss of his father, Pa Abraham Diri at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state cautioned against do-or-die politics.
Dr Jonathan, who noted that politics should be about service and not about self, urged politicians to wait for God’s time to get into leadership positions.
He stated that in a democracy, the people play a critical role and wondered why those who aspire to lead want to force themselves on the people.
Dr Jonathan also advised people of the state to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the House of Assembly elections.
“Leadership is not by force. It is about serving the people. So, if you want to lead the people, you cannot kill them before you lead them.
“In Bayelsa, the challenges will be minimal because we do not have a governorship election on Saturday. But I urge our people to conduct themselves well,” he said.
Speaking on the late Pa Diri, Jonathan said the death of a parent was painful but urged the family of the departed to take solace in the worthy legacies he left.
“When you go for a condolence visit, sometimes you lack words. We are lucky that our father lived for 88 years but that is not the most important. What you will be remembered for is what matters. From the messages so far, it is clear he lived a worthy life.
“He had good qualities that probably helped him produce a governor. We have come to join the governor and members of his family and community to console you and the rest of the family.”
Responding, the Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, described the visit of the former president as special, saying his family and community were strengthened by his presence.
He traced his relationship with Dr. Jonathan to when he was Bayelsa deputy governor, saying he became very close to him until he became governor and appointed him Commissioner in his administration.
Diri said Jonathan’s rise to the position of president was divine, saying the people of the state were proud of him and his achievements in politics.
The governor said he was overwhelmed with joy by the former president’s show of love, who he said was among the first to call him and even sent his wife to visit before coming in person.
Diri stressed the need for the people of Bayelsa to exhibit the same brotherly love and unity in order to move the state forward.
