My Ambition Is Not Worth The Blood Of Any Nigerian -- Jonathan

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha, Daily Times, Nigeria

 

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday reiterated his earlier position that his political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian citizen.

The President said this while addressing politicians at the All Political Parties Summit, holding in the Federal Capital Territory.

He decried the discordant tunes from politicians since the advent of terrorism in the country and called on politicians to join hands with the Federal Government if the war against terror must be won.
Emphasizing the need to place national interest ahead of personal ambition, he also decried what he called anti-democratic tendencies of some politicians and the tension being created. He advised that no one should play into the hands of extremist elements that use the campaign of terror against the country.

The President also applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the   establishment of the Inter-Party Advisory Council and the transformation of the electoral process and called on politicians not to take this for granted.

The organisers of the event chose the very significant June 12 to meet, and uppermost in their minds was how to effect inter party collaboration, national stability and democratic consolidation.
The organisers chose the theme following discordant tunes in the polity following terrorism and abduction of Chibok schoolgirls.

The Chairman of the occasion, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, brought his understanding of what it takes to midwife the democratic process to bear, as he spoke about how politicians could sustain the Nigerian democracy especially in a charged atmosphere.

Also, security was said to be very important if democracy must thrive, as political upheavals in the country would bear serious consequences if the political class do not conduct themselves with decorum, no matter the political divide.

At the last count, over six major political parties in the country had their members represented, including some past Nigerian leaders, heads of state, and members of the diplomatic corps and other friends of Nigeria.

Also present were the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; Special Adviser to the President on Interparty Affairs, Ben Obi; PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, who urged political parties to play by the rules.

Several goodwill messages poured in from the political parties present.