President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to deal decisively with anyone who
may decide to foment trouble before, during and after the 2015 general
elections.
He said he would wield the big stick against troublemakers because of
the post-2011 elections violence that erupted in some parts of the country.
Jonathan read the Riot Act in his New Year message broadcast on radio
and television networks early on Thursday morning.
He said his administration would not tolerate a repeat of the 2011 orgy
of 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,” the President declared.
Jonathan observed that the general elections were important for the
country, saying their successful conclusion would further strengthen Nigeria’s
democratic institutions and place it more firmly in the comity of truly
democratic nations.
He said given the challenges that had characterised some previous
electoral contests in the country, the eyes of the world would be on the
conduct and outcome of what he described as the nation’s fifth post-military
rule general elections.
He reassured Nigerians and the international community of his
administration’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.
The President added, “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, 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.
“The national security agencies will also be given all necessary support
to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and
violence-free.”
Jonathan reiterated his position that no political ambition was worth
the blood of any Nigerian.
He urged politicians, as they carry out their campaigns, not to promote
sectionalism, disunity or hate.
Jonathan further advised them to conduct their campaigns with decorum
and civility towards opponents.
“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,” the President added.
He said all Nigerians of voting age were free to vote during the
elections based on their convictions.
Jonathan also assured Nigerians that political campaigns and the general
elections would not distract his administration from its ongoing efforts to
improve their living conditions.
He promised that his involvement in the campaigns and election as the
presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party notwithstanding, he
would remain focused on providing good governance and delivering better public
services to Nigerians.
He said, “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 eight 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.
“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.”
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 reiterated his position that all the challenges facing the nation are
surmountable.
“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 amongst all odds has been our
strength.”
The President 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.
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Politics