President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed that his government will not allow the repeat, in 2015 general elections, of 2011 general election violence in which those he called ‘unpatriotic elements’ embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property.
In his New Year broadcast to the nation this morning, President Jonathan made it clear: “that will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will.”
He assured Nigerians that as the country enters an election year, his administration will remain fully focused on providing good governance and the delivery of better public services to our people.
He reminded his fellow politicians once again that none of their political ambitions should be considered as worth the blood of any of the countrymen, women and children.
“The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.
“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.
“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.”
President Jonathan assured that the campaigns and elections will not distract him from the ongoing work to significantly improve the living conditions of Nigerians even as he advised all tiers of government not to be distracted as well.
He acknowledged that elections are very important for Nigeria as a country, adding that the successful conclusion of such elections will further strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions and place the country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.
“Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.
“I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.
“Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch. We will continue to do so for the coming elections.
“We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the Commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs. This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.
“National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free. The Nigeria Police has already established an Elections Security Planning and Monitoring Unit.
“I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualized.”
The President called on Nigerians to enter the New Year with renewed zeal and patriotism and to serve the country with love, honesty, faithfulness and hope for a greater tomorrow.
He maintained that none of the challenges before his government is insurmountable, adding: “we must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.
“Nigeria is a key country in Africa. We must work together to maintain our strategic position and collaborate with others to move the continent forward. I call for peace in Africa and an end to all conflicts in our continent. I urge all Africans to promote democracy in their respective countries to ensure faster development of the continent and faster economic and political integration.” [myad]
