PORT HARCOURT – Mr Oliver Wolugbom, the Rivers Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday advised politicians to always accept defeat after elections, to strengthen public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
Wolugbom told newsmen in Port Harcourt that if politicians could imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, there would be nothing like electoral malpractice.
He urged them to emulate the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi, who accepted defeat after the recently concluded governorship election in the state.
The director advised politicians to endeavour to accept defeat so that elections in the nation would stop experiencing thuggery and other forms of violence.
Wolugbom called on them to see the interest of the nation as a priority and place it above any other self aggrandisement.
He appealed to them to do away with the idea of engaging the youths in violent activities to earn electoral victory.
The director reminded politicians that if they destroyed society and the polity, their entire families would also be affected.
He urged them to be God-fearing and always concern themselves with peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic nationalities in the nation.
“ It is the right of the people to choose who should lead them. If they choose you fine, but if they refuse to vote for you, try and accept it in good fate, “ he said.