Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged Nigerians to avoid actions capable of provoking one another that could lead the country to another national conflict. Abiodun gave the charge during a special church service to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, yesterday.
The governor specifically urged Nigerians who are fond of beating the drums of war to desist from such action as the general elections were drawing closer.
“Let me call on all of us, we must do everything to ensure that we avoid actions that are capable of provoking one another, actions that are capable of leading us to war or any other national conflict.
“For people constantly beating the drums of war, let us ensure that as we prepare for the 2023 general elections, we do not do anything to over-heat the polity,” he said.
Abiodun, while noting that his administration in the last three and half years has lowered the political temperature in the state and allowed every political party to go about marketing their franchise, appealed to all Nigerians to participate in the forthcoming general elections.
The governor, who also urged the youths in the country to shun all acts of violence and thuggery, urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards are not used as thugs during the elections.
Abiodun emphasised that his administration would continue to remember its fallen heroes by giving support to them through the Nigeria Legion. He called on good spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the families left behind by the country’s fallen heroes.
In his message with the theme, “Remembrance of our giants,” Bishop of United African Methodist Church, Ijemo, Abeokuta, the Rt. Revd. Noah Adekanbi Olabisi, described January 15 as a date set aside to remember the great men and women who died defending the territorial integrity of the country.
Adekanbi, while commending the sacrifices of the fallen heroes as one that had helped to make the country stronger, made a case for the families they left behind, saying that the families would need the prayers, financial and material support of the people of the country.
The clergyman, while praying for a peaceful election that would be free from bloodshed and acrimony, noted that what the country needed at the moment were leaders and not rulers.
The cleric, who acknowledged Abiodun for working hard towards ensuring a more prosperous state, urged the younger generation to stay away from thuggery and vote wisely during the forthcoming general elections.