As political partieskicked off campaigns for next
month’s general elections in the
country, President Goodluck
Jonathan talked tough yesterday,
saying his administration will not
tolerate the kind of orgy of
violence that trailed the 2011
elections in the forth-coming
elections.
In a new year message to
Nigerians, President Jonathan said
his administration was resolutely
committed to a free and fair
election.
Jonathan said: “Decisive action
will be taken against any
individuals or groups who attempt
to disrupt the public peace before,
during or after the 2015 elections.
“The elections are very important
for us as a country. Their
successful conclusion will further
strengthen our democratic
institutions and place our beloved
country even more firmly in the
comity of truly democratic nations.
“Given the challenges that have
characterised 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.
Adequate funding for INEC
“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.
“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
actualised.
Let us not promote sectionalism
“I will like to say this, once again,
to my fellow politicians and
political leaders. None of our
political ambitions is worth the
blood of any of our 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.
Electoral violence
“After the 2011 general elections,
some unpatriotic elements
embarked on an orgy of violence,
resulting in the destruction of lives
and property. 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.
“All Nigerians, of voting age, are
free to vote based on their
convictions. It is our duty to
defend and protect that basic right,
and let no one be in doubt, we
will.”
I’ll remain focused
He said the 2015 general elections
will not distract his administration
from its ongoing effort to
significantly improve their living
conditions.
He said his involvement in the
campaigns and election as the
presidential candidate of the
Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP,
notwithstanding, he will remain
fully focused on providing good
governance and delivering better
public services to Nigerians.
“By the special Grace of God, the
Federal Government, under my
leadership, has continued, in the
past four years to lead our country
forward, even under the most
trying circumstances. The progress
we have made in priority areas
bears us testimony.
On the economy
“Our national economy maintained
a steady growth rate of close to
seven per cent in the past four
years and millions of fresh
employment opportunities were
created for our people as a direct
consequence.
“Being very conscious of the
inherent perils of our over-reliance
on income from crude oil exports
for national development, we have
focused on accelerating the
diversification of our economy.
“The non-oil sector, which has
grown by an average of 8 per cent
in the last few years, is now a
major driver of growth in our
economy.
“The 2015 national budget, which
is now before the National
Assembly, is targeted at deepening
our efforts at becoming a non-oil
economy.
“The budget also includes
measures to ensure that the
downturn in the price of oil does
not affect our development plans
and our national economy too
adversely. We are adjusting our
financial processes to safeguard
our economy. We are also taking
steps to ensure that the poor and
the low and medium income
earners do not bear the brunt.
Stability of Naira in 2015
“In 2015, this administration will
continue to lay the foundation for
a vibrant economy that attracts
significant Foreign Direct
Investment and promotes policies
that ensure economic stability.
“We will ensure stability in the
value of the Naira by striving to
take away speculative behaviours
that cause market exchange
pressures.
“We will continue to build and
maintain a healthy external
reserves position and strengthen
fiscal buffers. We will ensure the
Naira remains strong, and gives
foreign investors the clarity and
certainty that they need, to guide
future investment decisions.
“We will continue to improve our
payment systems and strengthen
risk-based supervision mechanism
for Nigerian banks to ensure
overall health and stability of the
banking system.”
Assures on free, fair polls
The President reassured Nigerians
and the global community of his
administration’s resolute
commitment to free, fair, credible
and acceptable elections.
Wishing Nigerians a happy and
prosperous 2015, the President
urged them to enter the new year
with renewed hope, patriotism and
zeal to serve their fatherland.
He said: “As I have always
maintained, none of the challenges
before us is insurmountable. We
must come together as a people
and work with single-minded unity
of purpose to overcome them.
“As we go into this new year, I
salute the indomitable and
resilient spirit of our people in
Nigeria and wherever they are in
the world. Our spirit of enterprise
and the doggedness to succeed
among all odds has been our
strength.
“Let us continue our march to the
future, towards the attainment of
our collective vision of a strong,
united, prosperous and
harmonious nation – a secure
nation for us and for our coming
generations.”
On terrorism
He praised the gallant officers,
men and women of the armed
forces and other security agencies
who have been in the forefront of
the war against terrorism and
violent extremism in Nigeria.
He noted: “I want to assure you
that the terrorists will not get
away with their atrocities: they will
not win; they will be routed.”
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