Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to put the nation first as they explore opportunities that lie before them in the new year, including voting for candidates of their choice in the 2023 general election.

Jonathan stated this in his New Year message on Saturday.

The former President noted that the new year holds great possibilities despite the challenges faced by the nation in previous years.

He said:  “Every new day is a gift for which we must show appreciation to God. We thank God for the gift of life and the opportunities the New Year 2023 presents to us as individuals and as a nation.

“Last year was, without a doubt, filled with gains and losses. As a country, we experienced a devastating flood that resulted in the death of many lives and the destruction of properties and sources of livelihood of millions of citizens.

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“As a people, we survived the horror of the flood amid other national challenges, lived with hope unto God and faith in our nation, and triumphed into this New Year.

“This year holds great possibilities for us all. We must harness the opportunities that lie within the length and breadth of our nation. This year is very significant for the survival of our nation. It is an election year, and citizens will go to the polls to elect leaders for different offices.

“We must see the election as an opportunity to birth a new country and overcome the challenges of the past years. Let us put the nation’s interest first in all our conduct this year.

“The ballot serves as the most suitable vehicle for achieving our shared dream of peace, justice, unity, and prosperity.

“This year, let us be purposeful in our actions, abide in faith and love towards God and country and eschew all negative tendencies and sentiments that would diminish our collective fortunes of unity, peace, and progress.”

The Star