September 01, (THEWILL) – Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has charged Nigerians to protect the country’s democracy from drifting towards dictatorship.
The former Nigerian leader made the call at the 70th birthday celebration of Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, held at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme of the event, ‘Nigeria’s Unfinished Greatness: Next Steps’, Jonathan urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and put all hands on deck to choose leaders that will take the nation to the Promised Land.
According to him, many Nigerians, especially the youths are becoming increasingly disillusioned about the nation’s politics and democracy.
He maintained that Nigeria must remain on the democratic path, noting that it is the only practical way of effectively managing “our diversity, developing sustainably and recording progress as a nation.”
He said: “The task before all of us is not to lower our guard, lest the democracy we cherish today, succumbs to threats and recedes into fascism tomorrow and there are signs already. Looking at the states and so on, we are derailing towards quasi fascist form of government, but democracy is not only about winning elections alone, it is about accommodation.
“We as leaders at the centre and at the state level, especially at this time when elections are coming, must accommodate different views.”
The former Nigerian leader maintained that democracy remains the best form of government that can effectively manage the nation’s diversity.
“Obviously many people, especially our youths, are becoming increasingly disillusioned about our politics and democracy.
“However, we must remain on the democratic path because it is the only practical way of effectively managing our diversity, developing sustainably, and recording progress as a nation”, he said, adding that this is not the time for Nigerians to lower their guard and allow democracy to crumble.
He charged the youths that have registered ahead of the 2023 elections to endeavour to walk their talk by making sure they come out to vote on election day.
Jonathan described Nigeria as a work in progress; adding that until that work is done, people like Bishop Kukah, who serve as the conscience of the nation, will continue to be around to constantly hold the mirror of the nation’s progression to its face.
The former President also spoke about the six-month-old industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), narrating how his government resolved one of the industrial disputes in one night.
“The society we are managing is quite complex. Now, we are talking about ASUU strike. During my time too, ASUU had four months of strike. Different committees were meeting, but nothing was working. I said ‘How can our children stay out of school for four months?
“So, I had to call a meeting of all the leadership of ASUU. I presided over the meeting with my vice president. The Attorney General was there; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was there; the ministers of education, the labour minister were there; the finance minister and everybody that had to do with it (strike).
“And I thought that my being there would help us to do things quickly. But we spent the whole night. We finished like 5:30 am and the strike was called off. So, there were issues.”
On his part, Governor of Sokoto State, Tambuwal, described Kukah as a man with undying love for the country.
Tambuwal, who chaired the occasion, reiterated the Catholic bishop’s unalterable belief in the possibility of a new Nigeria.
According to him, though Kukah’s critique of the country’s governance have been controversial, he (Kukah) believes Nigeria can and will come out of the woods of failed political leadership.
Represented by Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the Sokoto governor said, “His (Kukah’s) writings over the years have become controversial and have drawn the ire of powers that be, but what is not in doubt is his undying love for Nigeria and Nigerians, and his belief in the possibility of a new Nigeria, where justice and equity reigns.”
Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, on his part, said leaders in the country must ensure inclusion and justice for peace and development.
He said, “Nation building is work in progress. Unity is also not automatic, it is the work we put into nation building that will determine how far we go. The root to nation building is peace and the root to peace is justice and inclusion and that is something we have battled with over the last 62 years.
“In Nigeria, we tend to focus more on development, but we can’t give what we don’t have. Development will only take place where we have a nation. And to have a nation, we must have that elite consensus and I don’t think we have achieved that elite consensus yet.”
Dignitaries present at the occasion include Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu; his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; Governor of Ekiti State, Fayemi; Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Others are Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha; former governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, among others.
