The Rivers APGA Governorship Candidate, Prince Ugo Beke, has appealed to political actors and their followers to ensure peaceful campaign in the spirit of Christmas, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Beke, a merchant banker and financial consultant, made the plea in a statement in Lagos, on Friday, on his Christmas goodwill message to Nigerians.

He sued for peaceful governorship and state assembly elections in Rivers state and the country at large.

He said: “Glory be to God for sparing our lives to witness yet another Christmas in spite of the heightened insecurity, hunger and unemployment that ravaged our country in 2022.

“I wish to join millions of Rivers people and Nigerians in general in congratulating all Christians on this festive season.

“Nigeria returns to the poll again from February next year to elect a new President, Governors, Senators, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly in an atmosphere already charged -amid violence and breach of peace as campaigns take centre stage.

“Christmas, with its loaded significance, presents a golden opportunity for us politicians to campaign with peace, and the voters to be assured of their safety, before, during and after the elections.”

Congratulating Christians in Rivers state for witnessing this year’s Christmas celebrations, Beke said that APGA, from 1999, was the second party only to the PDP in the state until 2015.

According to him, the party seems to have returned to that position of eminence with his emergence as its governorship candidate.

Stressing that Christmas symbolises the birth of Jesus Christ who died to save the lives of all, the APGA flag-bearer added that throughout Jesus’ lifetime, He preached peace, honesty, love and fear of God.

These take-outs, he said, were his driving force in seeking to serve the people of Rivers state as governor.

The candidate stressed the need for the people, irrespective of creed, to imbibe and put such virtues into practice.

He said that Nigerians should imbibe the spirit of love and forgiveness during the festive period to strengthen existing friendships and establish new ones.

“I call on Christians in particular to exchange visits among themselves and adherents of other faith, while also paying special attention to the poor, the needy, orphans and widows living among them during the Christmas period,” he added.

Beke also urged Nigerians to reflect on routine and spiritual deeds in the last one year, and pray for better and prosperous years ahead.