Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged political parties contesting Ghana’s general election to ensure peace and unity ahead of the December 7 polls.
In a three-page letter addressed to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Obasanjo urged the two parties to be mindful of the importance of preserving the unity, peace, and stability of the country which have been bequeathed to them by those before them, including the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
The letter said Ghana has for a long time remained the beacon of democracy in West Africa and the continent at large, hence, the need to ensure violence free election irrespective of provocations from either camp.
The former President encouraged the two candidates, President Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama to play by the rules and desist from the use of language that incites violence and hate and approach the elections with a very competitive spirit but also with respect for one another, democratic values, love for country, and a sense of responsibility to preserve the gains Ghana has made since the advent of democracy.
Mr. Obasanjo was optimistic that should his caution be heeded, Ghana will come out winner after the polls, irrespective of the general outcome.