Don’t set Nigeria ablaze, GEJ warns politicians

President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians and intending public office holders to be wary of their comments, saying some of their utterances are capable of setting the county ablaze.

Speaking on Thursday at a special Christmas service at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Maitama, Abuja, Jonathan urged 2015 election candidates and their parties to to base their campaigns strictly on issues and avoid comments betraying desperation for power at the expense of the country’s interests.

“As a nation, we have our challenges. Everyday we hear what is happening to some parts of the country, including Abuja, bombing by terrorists and extremists. These are temporary things. Surely, God will see us through,” he said.

“It will surely come to an end the way it started. All what I request from you is to continue to pray for the country as you have been paying. Pray for the victims of terror. We have widows, widowers and orphans; some children are just few days old and their parents have been killed. So what is their fate? Their communities shattered, people have to run to different places but that is the handiwork of the devil. As a nation, we will pull through.”

He thanked religious leaders, Christian leaders and all Christians who constantly pray for this country, especially for him and his family and the government.

“The challenges of the moment, but for your prayers, probably something else would have happened.

“God bless this country, even with the challenges. One would have expected the economy to collapse completely and of course if that happens, people working with government and some of the people with the private sector would not have been receiving salaries or anything. God is with us and in spite of what is happening, we are forging ahead and we will pull through.

“I reassure you that we will continue to do more. It is a week to the end of the year, next year, from January, we will see all political actors campaigning and from the middle of February to the end, we will have the elections at the various levels. I believe we the politicians from our utterances, I am very sure that those of you who meant well for this country will never be happy with us.”

Speaking on the comments of politicians, he said the ultimate choice of those who will lead the country rests with the people.

“As a politician, you want people to elect you, to perform a responsibility. If you mean well for the country, the country is nobody’s personal estate but you want to serve. If people want you to serve, you serve. If they say no, you leave,

“Nigeria is nobody’s personal estate, Nigeria is nobody’s business enterprise, Nigeria is nobody’s father’s, property; it belongs to all Nigerians. I get embarrassed when we, the politicians, maybe including me, make provocative statements, statements that create division among Nigerians, statements that can set this country ablaze. I don’t think that is what a leader should do, I don’t think that is the kind of seed a leader should sow.

“Those who take government by violence, look at African countries, those who kill to take power, they never end well. Few cases, yes; probably in society, not everybody goes the same way but on the average one has recently happened in west Africa. If a politician wants to take power whether at the house of assembly level, at the house of representatives or senate or governor or president, you don’t sow seed of discord and enmity because of course, it will consume you.”

He also called for increased participation in governance by elders statesmen who have ‎served the country at the highest levels.

“As a nation, we know that if anybody who has the privilege of being a governor of a state after serving, he becomes a senior citizen of that state; it is your duty to assist in-coming governments.

“If you happen to serve as the head of government or as a president of this country, in fact at the national level, we have the highest authority called the council of state… The idea is that they have vast experience in a number of things and they can bring their experiences to bear in terms of advising any president at anytime; that was why that body was created by the constitution.

“But if we abuse ourselves, kill ourselves to be in office, then who will finish serving and still want to attend the council of state meeting for somebody who probably abused you throughout life; it is not possible.

“For us who are looking for various offices, we should just talk about what we can do for Nigerians; you can market yourself but not to sow the seed of discord.

“For a politician to stand up, who is even a Christian, to say that if he fails election, he will form a parallel government. What makes him feel that he must win the election? Even me as a serving president, what makes me feel I must win the election, no matter what I think I am? Nigerians will decide who will govern them at the state level, or federal level, state assemblies or the National Assembly in terms of the federal constituencies and the senatorial districts.

“It is not for you who is looking for the office to think that you are the best person to be there. Are you the most qualified person even by certificate? Are you telling me your certificate is larger than that of others or you even have more certificates? It is the chance of the people and the will of God.”