President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians against desperate moves that could overheat the polity as a means of winning the favour of the electorate in the coming 2015 general elections. He said this while delivering the Independence Day speech broadcast this morning, emphasizing that such actions will not augur well for the general wellbeing of the country.
“Our political leaders in particular must know that the contest for power should not translate to the destruction of the polity. The contest for the leadership of our country must yield good governance, and not ungovernable spaces. The love of country should rank higher than our individual ambitions.” he said.
The president also stressed the need for Nigerians to remain committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria within democratic parameters. Jonathan added that the protection of individual rights, liberty, equality before the law, freedom of thought, and a progressive pursuit of a sound economy must be the goal of Nigerian citizens. He however promised that his administration will continue to ensure that the will of the electorate prevails so that politicians would be reminded at all times that there is a day of reckoning when they will go back to the people at the polls.
“Election days must not be days of violence and death. We must remain vigilant to ensure that our electoral process is characterized by peace, security and transparency.” The president urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies, politicians and the electorate to work conscientiously and peacefully, together, to consolidate on the gains of the recent elections.
The president, though admitted that the country is facing some challenges, but expressed hope that the future is very bright. “Our 54 year-journey as a nation has not been easy. There have been tough periods, but the Nigerian spirit and the unflagging resilience of our people have seen us through. We will continue to march forward to greater heights.”
Jonathan also took time to reel out some of the achievements of his administration in various facets of the country. He said: “Today, following the rebasing of the economy, every international monitoring and ratings agency now acknowledges Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa, with a Gross Domestic Product of five hundred and ten billion dollars ($510 billion) which also places us as the 26th largest economy in the world. This is progress.” The president also commended the efforts of the Nigerian military in the war against terrorism as well as medical professionals in containing the spread of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD in the country.
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