President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday alerted the nation that some “undemocratic forces” are out to truncate the nation’s fledgling democracy, saying all must work together to save the situation.
Addressing participants at a Summit of all political parties organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Inter-Party Relations, the President said these forces may be working towards halting the 2015 elections.
He therefore, urged on all politicians irrespective of party affiliations to work together in addressing the various challenges confronting the country especially the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to him, “There are still very remorseless anti-democratic forces operating in the political system, ever ready to exploit lapses in the management of the political and electoral processes.
Some of these forces may, indeed, view the forthcoming elections as their last stand to truncate the nation’s hard won democratic liberty”.
President Jonathan also reminded the present political class that politicians in the past had formed alliances to address common challenges in teh interest of the nation.
On political statement capable of heating up the polity, the President said “Such unguarded utterances on their part fester the embers of discord, bitterness and rancour; such unfortunate development play into the hands of extremist elements waging a vicious campaign of terror against the state.
“The recent mindless bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians in the FCT Jos, in plateau State, the killings in Adamawa state including that of the traditional rulers as well as the heartless criminal abduction of over 200 school girls from Chibok, are better addressed by a political class united in its commitment to defend the polity irrespective of political differences.
“We must never politicize the fundamentals and core imperatives of defending the state as to do so can only embolden the terrorists and other enemies of our republics who will seek to employ any perceived political and social division for their nefarious ends.
“We must never give them such opportunity. Our political parties must remain positive and constructive in their engagements as we seek to build virile and stable nation that can compete with other states in the world,” the President said.
According to Jonathan, the summit which was attended by former leaders, ruling party chieftains and key opposition figures was an opportunity for all stakeholders with different ideologies to point to the way forward for the nation.
He noted that it would also give politicians the opportunity to assess the impact of their recent utterances on the polity and make necessary adjustments.
The President spoke further, “This summit today, attended by all political parties in Nigeria therefore offer the opportunities for political parties and indeed politicians to reflect and review the possible consequences their actions, conducts and utterances in the recent past have had and will have on our polity and corporate existence.
“This summit must be an occasion for political rejuvenation and re orientation, its outcome must be a common stand against all and any anti democratic forces that are currently waging vicious and mindless war against the state.
“Fellow compatriots, we must first build a nation before engaging on arguments on how best to run it. The system is not yet strong enough to withstand all unguarded and careless political statements and actions.
“If our state enterprise fails, no political party or politician that can stand it. Hence at a time such as this, when our existence as a nation is threatened by anti- democratic forces, we politicians and political parties must rise to the higher moral grounds in defence and protection of our existence as one nation and one people.
“Our roles should not be limited to the struggle to win elections and acquire political powers…
“In all these, it is pertinent that the act, conducts and utterances of all political stakeholders reflect the highest level of commitment to the defence and press action of our social cohesion, our political stability and our sovereignty as a nation.
“We must reinforce and recommit our various supporters across the nation to the Nigerian project irrespective of party affiliation, ideological differences and alliances. History will not judge us kindly if this country fails as a result of our actions and inactions. Let us bear in mind that no advantage or benefit can be gained by any political party over the other if our democracy fails. We have no choice but to work together and the time is now.”
On the presence of the opposition parties and former Nigerian leaders, an elated Jonathan said, “I must express my profound gratitude to all the political parties that answered this clarion call today.
“For General Buhari, has indeed demonstrated statesmanship and patriotism as well as the willingness to put partisanship aside in the collective interest of the nation.
I sincerely hope that the summit will mark a turning point in our democratization process.”
