Former Minister of Finance and renowned economist, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala took to Twitter to share a photo of her aged parents who participated in the Presidential and National Assembly elections that held in Nigeria yesterday.
Proud that my father, Prof Chukwuka Okonjo the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, and my mother, Prof Kamene Okonjo, exercised their right to vote at ages 90 and 88 respectively. The Obi enjoined all Nigerians to be peaceful saying: pic.twitter.com/AFFJcZjLHx
— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) February 24, 2019
She also went on to call on Nigerians to eschew violence and be more tolerant of each other regardless of the political leanings.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala further wrote, “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”
“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.”