Abdulsalami: Nigerians must force politicians to play by the rules or watch the country destroyed

Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military head of state, has decried the desperation and inordinate ambitions of some Nigerian politicians, saying they are capable of checkmating the country.

In an open missive, entitled ‘Letter to Nigerians’, Abdulsalami called on Nigerians to rise and send a message to politicians that their ego and ambitions are not bigger than the country.

The former military head of state also lamented the pain and frustration in the land, urging leaders to do something about them.

He called on politicians to moderate their utterances to avoid heating up the polity.

Commenting on the Boko Haram challenge, he expressed displeasure at the protracted crisis that has resulted in the death and displacement of thousands of Nigerians.

He added that the nation was threatened by multiple crises and called for concerted effort to end them. He further said that Nigeria was at a crossroads, but urged leaders to live up  to their billing.

“In one of the most senseless attacks, more than 2,000 people were said to have been killed in a single attack on Baga town of Borno state last week. This is clearly unacceptable,” he said.

“We feel the time has come to restore people’s confidence in the ability of government to confront, repel and put a stop to the impunity of the insurgency; and reassure them of its capacity and readiness to protect them at all times.

“We must force our politicians to accept and learn to play by the rules; and in their politicking adopt the highest ethical conduct, especially during campaigns and the conduct of the elections themselves.

“The inordinate ambition of some of our politicians, especially their do-or-die attitude in their quest for power, their way of subverting the electoral process in order to get to power must be checked by this nation or else they will terminally checkmate it.

“All Nigerians of goodwill must, therefore, rise to tell politicians and, indeed, all Nigerians that Nigeria is greater than the ambition and ego of any of its citizens; and at every encounter with whoever, this nation must prevail.”