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By Dirisu Yakubu
ABUJA- Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Abdulsalami Abubakar yesterday urged the country's leaders to learn from history and put Nigeria at the forefront of their actions and their statements, as the country prepares for a new round of elections.
The easy president and his fearless first lady
The two former leaders spoke at a one day conference organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Abuja.
Jonathan, who emphasized the need for political leaders, especially those seeking elected office, not to let their ambitions set the nation on fire, said that without peace, no meaningful development could be achieved.
According to him, the whole world is looking at Nigeria and every effort should be made to ensure that the polls are free of violence in the country.
He warned that serious consequences for the African subregion if the elections went wrong, adding that as part of its commitment to strengthening democracy in Nigeria and on the African continent, the foundation would continue to explore ways to encourage African leaders to become aware of the virtues of service. and sacrifice.
Speaking at the conference on "Peaceful Elections and National Development", Jonathan also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security staff to be professional in the exercise of their duties. responsibilities before, during and after the election. elections.
He said: "For democracy to be sustainable and productive on the continent, African politicians and other stakeholders must understand that the true heroes of leadership are not those who desperately seek to impose their will endanger society, but those who have the humility to submit their personal ambitions. to the collective interest of their nations.
"Our political leaders must understand that the greatest and most lasting legacy to leave is that of peace and development.
"We are convinced that anyone, whether it is government or outside the government, who really loves Nigeria, will not want to play the role of the villain by supporting any action causing a crisis.
"It is undeniable that when politicians resort to desperate measures to occupy important political positions, they run the risk of plunging their country into serious crises, often resulting in loss of life, degradation of values and destruction of their lives. private and political interests. public property. "
2015 Imbibe Course-Abdulsalami
For his part, former military chief General Abdulsalami Abubakar (ret) instructed the leaders of the nation to draw lessons from 2015, noting that, even though Nigeria's enemies predicted disaster, the country disappointed them by organizing transparent elections that opened the way. the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Abubakar, chairman of the National Commission for Peace, said: "We all remember the tension in Nigeria in the 2015 elections, during which fools were predicting the balkanization of Nigeria, but thanks to 39, action of the Nigerians and the then President, Goodluck Jonathan, they were proved that they were wrong, because the gentleman kept his promise that his presidency was not worth the blood of one Nigerian and he graciously conceded defeat at this election. "
In his address, Professor Amos Sawyer, guest of honor and former president of Liberia, said that Nigerians should not consider the presence of world leaders in the country as an intrusion, claiming that the elections in the country the More populous Africa counted a lot for West Africa. sub region.
Kukah insists on the need to provide services
Matthew Kukah, keynote speaker and bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, who spoke about "Electoral Violence in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences and Options for Prevention", spoke of the need to provide services, saying that violence only reflected the deepest frustration of the world. society.
Condemning the cheap values given to human life in the country, Mr. Kukah said the killings made no sense for the people until they belonged to their nationality.
"We have refused to face the realities of our times," he said, even as he drew the attention of the nation's leaders to Zimbabwe, which recently declared a national tragedy after the murder of his six citizens.
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