2015 Polls: Jonathan talks tough

                                                  President Goodluck Jonathan

*Says I’ll not tolerate repeat of post 2011 polls violence
*Assures on stability in the value of Naira
By Ben Agande
ABUJA — As political parties kicked off campaigns for next month’s general elections in the country, President Goodluck  Jonathan talked tough yesterday, saying his administration will not tolerate the kind of orgy of violence that trailed the 2011 elections in the forth-coming elections.
forth-coming elections.
In a new year message to Nigerians, President Jonathan said his administration was resolutely committed to a free and fair election.
Jonathan said: “Decisive action will be taken against any individuals or groups who attempt to disrupt the public peace before, during or after the 2015 elections.
“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 characterised 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, INEC, 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.
Adequate funding for INEC
“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.
“National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance 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 actualised.
Let us not promote sectionalism
“I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. 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.
Electoral violence
“After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives 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.
“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.”
I’ll remain focused
He said  the 2015 general elections will not distract his administration from its ongoing effort to significantly improve their living conditions.
He said  his involvement in the campaigns and election as the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, notwithstanding,  he will  remain fully focused on providing good governance and delivering better public services to Nigerians.
“By the special Grace of God, the Federal Government, under my leadership, has continued, in the past four years to lead our country forward, even under the most trying circumstances. The progress we have made in priority areas bears us testimony.
On the economy
“Our national economy maintained a steady growth rate of close to seven per cent in the past four years and millions of fresh employment opportunities were created for our people as a direct consequence.
“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 per cent 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.
Stability of Naira in 2015
“In 2015, this administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that 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.”
Assures on free, fair polls
The President reassured Nigerians and the global community of his administration’s resolute commitment to free, fair, credible and acceptable elections.
Wishing Nigerians a happy and prosperous 2015, the President urged 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 among 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.”
On terrorism
He praised the gallant officers, men and women of the armed forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.
He noted: “I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed.”

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