President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the federal government will take firm and decisive action against any individuals or groups who would dare to disrupt public peace during the 2015 general elections.
“After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of life 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”, he stated.
In a live broadcast relayed on national television and radio networks at 7am today to convey his New Year message to the nation, the president reiterated to Nigerians and the international community his administration’s firm resolve to conduct free and fair elections.
Jonathan also promised Nigerians that steps will be taken by his administration to shield the poor and low-medium income earners from the full brunt of stiff austerity measures included in the 2015 budget.
The stiff measures contained in the budget, he explained, are to ensure the stability of the nation’s economy in the face of the current downturn in the prices of crude oil.
On the 2015 polls, Jonathan declared that his involvement in the campaigns and election as the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) will not distract him from remaining fully focused on providing good governance and delivering better public services to Nigerians.
Jonathan warns politicians against malice, bloodshed
Restating his stance that no political ambitions is worth the blood of any Nigerian, he warned politicians against promoting sectionalism, disunity, intolerance and abuse of political opponents, even as he noted that there must be a nation and a people first before politicians could think of their political ambitions.
“I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders, that 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
“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,” President Jonathan declared.
On how prepared the electoral body was for the elections, he said, “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 characterized 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, 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 president added that the national security agencies would also be given all necessary support to beef up 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 actualized”, he noted.
Assuring that his government had taken steps to protect the poor and low-medium income earners from the harsh condition that would be brought by the measures included in the 2015 budget to stabilise the economy, Jonathan said it was all about diversifying the economy.
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 8% 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”.
He further assured that, in 2015, his administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that would attract significant foreign direct investment and promote policies that would 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, Jonathan implored 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 against 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,” Jonathan told Nigerians.
Don’t lose hope, change is coming, Buhari tells in Nigerian youths
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has urged Nigerian youths not lose hope, despite the challenges facing the country, as there is change in the horizon.
Buhari, who made this comment in his New Year message he made available to journalists, lamented that the outgoing year recorded brutal killings of the nation’s youth.
He said,”As we welcome the year 2015, I have shared a message to Nigerians in general, but I find it crucial to send another message directly to Nigeria’s youth who are the major stakeholders of this enterprise. The year 2014 was a challenging one for most citizens of our dear country.
“We remember our compatriots who were brutally killed or maimed by evil terrorists in 2014. I remember, with a still broken heart, that 219 of our children from Chibok are still missing, let down by a country that should protect them. I remember that, even as I speak, some of our towns and villages are yet under the occupation of Boko Haram.
“Yes, it is enough for you to despair. It is enough for you to wonder if your country cares about you and can protect you. But do not despair.”
Buhari noted that the beauty of the New Year is that the people can look forward with renewed hope and the knowledge that the trend can be changed.
“In Nigeria’s case, we can truly look forward to the change that the elections can, and will, bring. Our country will be secure again. Our country will prosper again. I have faith that 2015 is the year we shall begin to write a new story – a story of our youth creating jobs and expanding the frontiers of innovation and creativity everywhere from Mavin Records to the Co-Creation Hub; a story of genuine investment in our children and students, be they in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka or in the Delta State University, Abraka; a country that finally makes a permanent shift from our debilitating dependence on the free-falling price of crude oil. I have unshakeable faith that 2015 will be the year of change,” he said.
Mark calls for violence-free elections
President Senator David Mark took stock of the nation’s chequered socio- political and economic problems in the last one year and urged citizens not to despair because there is light at the end of the tunnel.
In a similar vein, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, called for prayers and patriotic conduct for the success of the 2015 general elections.
In his goodwill message to Nigerians to mark the new year, Senator Mark, in a press statement issued by his chief press secretary, Paul Mumeh, said: “There is no doubt that the situation, especially insecurity, is challenging . We cannot pretend that all is well with us, but we are a nation of good faith in one God. When it seems impossible, God will make it possible.
“This trying time is only a phase in our march to greatness. With cooperation, dedication, honesty and patriotism on the part of all of us, we shall surely triumph.”
On the forthcoming general elections, Mark reminded politicians of the need to play according to the rules, saying that all civilized and decent societies are governed by laws and not a resort to might is right.
The National Assembly, he said, had fine-tuned the Electoral Act in tandem with the 1999 constitution (as amended) to make the electoral process smooth and rancour-free.
He, therefore, cautioned those fanning the embers of war ahead of the polls to think otherwise because the interest of an individual or groups cannot over ride national interest.
“Nigeria is greater than any group or individual interest. We must also remember that we must have a peaceful country before we can have the platform to pursue our individual or group ambitions,” he noted.
Tambuwal makes case for IDPs
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to take special interest in the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been forced out of their homes as a result of the raging insurgency in parts of the country.
In his New Year message contained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Imam Imam, yesterday, Tambuwal said IDPs in various camps within and outside the country deserve support at all times, and that governments at all levels must put in place comprehensive and coordinated strategies that would uplift the living conditions of the affected persons.
He further revealed that the National Assembly, in conjunction with other arms of government, would support any effort aimed at finding a lasting solution to the challenges of the IDPs.
“The National Assembly, House of Representatives in particular, will work with other arms of government, national and local NGOs, donor agencies and our development partners to put in place durable solutions to the challenges faced by IDPs in Nigeria and those staying in our neighbouring countries,” he said.
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