Video: If you lose, accept defeat – Jonathan urges candidates, votes

The immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has cast his vote.

Jonathan who cast his vote alongside his wife, Patience, at unit 39, ward 13, Otazi Playground Otuoke, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state, however, urged that any candidate who loses the election should accept defeat.

2019: Jonathan tasks politicians to put Nigeria first

Jonathan however, lamented that the environment under which elections are conducted in Nigeria is not good.

Former president Goodluck Jonathan @GEJonathan just voted at his country home Otuoke, #NigeriaDecides2019 #theverdict pic.twitter.com/tn2HkOanAh

— CHYCHY CHUKWU (@CHYCHYCHUKWU) 23 February 2019

He said after the elections, some stakeholders would meet with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to device ways of improving the electoral environment in the country.

According to him,“I can only encourage people that when they lose the elections, they should accept it,” he said.

“If you think you are good enough and you are trusted, you can come back. It has happened in other countries. That is the essence of democracy.

“If you are there as a governor and people misunderstood your policies and vote you out, you should realise that’s the people’s choice. We should be able to elect our leaders in a way that the world will accept them and believe we are doing what is right.”

Jonathan urged the people to ensure that the elections are free from violence because, according to him, if elections are not violent free, then “wrong people will be elected and there can never be any development in a society governed by the wrong people.”

“For Nigerians, if you want to move this country forward, you must start with decent and credible elections.”