Ahead of the 2015 general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned opposition political class against actions and utterances capable of pulling down thenation.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual lecture & Award ceremony of the Nigerian Pilot/Nigerian Newsworld magazine in Abuja, he said contrary to the propaganda of the opposition, Nigeria’s economy remains the best in Africa, especially in the last three years.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, charged every Nigerian to be more committed to the unity and peace of the country rather fanning embers of discord that could break the country.
He said the quest by certain persons and sections of the country to wrestle power from the incumbent political office holders have led to the issuance of all manner of threats with grave implications for national unity.
The president added that Nigeria is the heritage of Africa having been played and still playing the leading role among other countries in the continent, citing the roles played in ensuring peace in South Africa, Angola, Mozambique and the west African sub-region, among others.
He therefore allayed the fears of the opposition by reiterating the commitment of his administration to create conducive atmosphere for every player during the 2015 elections.
While urging them to desist from abuses and insults on him and members of his cabinet, he said, “every interested Nigerian is free to contest, nobody will stop you (referring to the opposition), but in the process of wanting to contest, don’t pull down this country”.
Jonathan also called on the media against abusing the freedom of press guaranteed in the constitution to threaten the unity of the country or abuse his office.
The president noted that some individuals and groups are using the media to insult and abuse him, urging the professionals not to help the opposition in trivializing the country’s growth and development.
He lamented that the media had in recent times ignored concrete issues of national importance to concentrate much attention to personalities
He pointed out that his administration has achieved much, especially in the last three years than the previous ones, citing the areas of road networks, electricity, health, infrastructure, among others.
According to him, the federal government has delivered 10 power plants in three years as part of efforts to improve electricity for more jobs and wealth creation in the country.
Similarly, the president said 32 road projects were completed in two years, with many others across the country still on-going.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support his administration for more dividends of democracy, saying they should be talking about the unity, peace and progress of the country rather than issues that could break it.