Jonathan, Abdulsalami, Others Task Politicians On National Interest

• Demand credible, hitch-free polls

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Former President Goodluck Jonathan says Nigeria’s democracy will only endure and remain productive when political leaders and elected officials put national interest over and above partisan considerations.

He however warned of grave consequences for Nigeria and Africa if things go awry with this year’s general elections that are just days away in the country.

Jonathan’s position was further strengthened by other speakers, who though noted the consolidation of democracy in the continent with routine conduct of elections by many African countries, expressed concerns over the peaceful and hitch-free nature of such electoral processes.

According to the ex-President, with Nigerians going into another round of general elections in the country, politicians and their parties must rein in their personal ambitions in the overall interest of Nigeria’s unity and peaceful co-existence of the citizens.

Speaking at a peace conference organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Abuja on Thursday, the former president said the world is watching Nigeria and every necessary measure must be in place to ensure violent and hitch-free elections nationwide.

Jonathan, who spoke on: ‘Peaceful elections and national development,’ also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies on professionalism in discharging their statutory responsibilities towards free, fair and credible polls.

Insisting that the onus is on political actors, especially those seeking elective offices, to be circumspect in their actions while also putting their supporters under check, Jonathan said; “For democracy to endure and be productive on the continent, African politicians and other stakeholders must realize that true heroes of leadership are not those whose desperation to impose their will endangers society, but those who have the humility to subjugate their personal ambitions to the collective interest of their nations.”

He said “political leaders must realize that the greatest and most enduring legacy to leave behind is that of peace and development”, adding; “We are convinced that any one, either in government or outside government, who truly loves Nigeria, will not want to play the role of the villain by lending his support to any action that instigates crises.”

“There is no gainsaying that when politicians resort to desperate measures in the bid to occupy important political positions, they run the risk of plunging their countries into serious crises that often lead to loss of lives, degradation of values as well as destruction of private and public assets”, Jonathan said.

Noting that Nigeria needs successful conduct of the elections to promote growth, ex-President Jonathan stated that good governance remains the fertile ground where peace and sustainable economic growth are planted.

“In this regard, it is important to point out that in a democracy, periodic, credible and peaceful elections are the necessary gateways to improved governance and people-oriented development.

“It is on record that despite the marked improvement on the regularity and number of democratic nations, election-related violence has continued to be experienced in many African nations, often to the detriment of peaceful co-existence, economic growth and sustainable development.

Also speaking on: ‘Electoral Violence in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences and Options for Prevention’, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, described violence as a reflection of deep-rooted frustration within the society

He however lamented that for the poor, participation in electoral violence might be an investment whose return is instant if they succeed in the ugly and condemnable venture.

Kukah, who presented the lead paper at the occasion, condemned the cheap values accorded human lives in the country, regretting that killings no longer make meanings to people so long as those killed were not from their ethnic nationalities.

Citing the Zimbabwean case where leaders recently declared a national tragedy over the killing of six citizens in the Southern Africa nation, the Cleric said it was unfortunate that Nigeria has refused to confront the current realities on ground.

Also speaking at the event, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) said today’s leaders must imbibe the lessons of 2015 in order to shame the enemies of Nigeria that are already predicting doom as was the case four years back when, in holding a transparent election that ushered in President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation hugely frustrated the evil forecast.

According to General Abubakar, “We all recall the tension in Nigeria during the 2015 elections where the doomsayers were predicting the balkanization of Nigeria, but thank God, through the action of Nigerians and the then President, Goodluck Jonathan; they were proved wrong because the gentleman kept his word that his Presidency was not worth the blood of any Nigerian and he graciously conceded defeat at that election.”

General Abubakar, who chairs the National Peace Commission (NPC), said though electoral violence often marred the nation’s political process, efforts must be geared towards making this year’s elections the most peaceful in the nation’s political history.

In his comments, the Special Guest of Honour and former President of Liberia, Professor Amos Sawyer, said Nigerians should see the presence of world leaders in the country as a friendly gesture rather than an intrusion of outsiders.

Sawyer’s admonition, which seemed a veiled reference to Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s ‘body bags’ remarks to foreigners, noted that elections in Nigeria as Africa’s most populous nation mean a great deal to the West African sub-region.

According to him; “Nigeria’s role in West Africa makes election in this country is very critical. So, elections in Nigeria cannot be seen solely as a Nigeria’s affairs.”

In urging Nigerians to resolve the crisis rocking Nigeria’s judiciary in line with existing provisions of the law, the ex-Liberian leader noted that; “Nigerian judiciary has been in the news for quite sometimes now in a manner that is of deep concern. It is our hope that the issues involved are resolved in a manner that will leave the integrity of the judiciary intact.”