The former Nigerian president made the comments on Monday, August 8, 2016, during a press conference in Lusaka, Zambia.
‘Selfish people have no business in politics,’ Ex-president says
Jonathan said further that to be interested in governance, a person must first be interested in the affairs of the people.
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According to statement released by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said:
“Politicians going in for elective positions should be open-minded about the outcome because they can either win or lose. Politicians who want to play meaningful roles in governance should realise that it is not about them. Those who care only about themselves should quit politics and begin to manage personal businesses."
“Our states are not private enterprises. You cannot be interested in governance without sufficient interest in the affairs of the people. So the interest of the country should come first as politicians tick their priority boxes.
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“This also requires politicians to accept the outcome of genuine elections because of the interest of the people. You cannot instigate violence and mayhem on the one hand and pretend that you are fighting for the people on the other.
“It does not make any sense to get involved in bloodshed, destroy properties, frustrate businesses and collapse the economy in order to win elections. Our advice is to put public interest above other expectations by accepting the results of elections.
“I believe that Zambia has served as the leading light and shown good examples over the issue of elections. I am convinced that the people of this country will maintain this exemplary peace during next Thursday’s general elections,” he added.
Jonathan is serving as the head of the African Union Election Observation Mission to Zambia.
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The former president also led a 33-nation observer mission to the Tanzania General Elections in October 2015.
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