Jonathan carpets Obasanjo, Buhari for criticising him openly

Jonathan carpets Obasanjo, Buhari for criticising him openly

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday took a swipe at some
former leaders of the country, accusing them of failing to take
advantage of the instrumentality of the Council of State to
express their views on critical national issues but prefer to criticize
his administration on the pages of newspapers.

All former Nigerian leaders are permanent members of the Council of
State.

It is on record that former Heads of State, Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari are ardent critics of the Jonathan administration.

Buhari is now the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2015 presidential election.

Speaking at a special Christmas Day Service at St. Mathews Anglican
Church, Abuja, Jonathan also berated members of the opposition All
Progressives Congress for taking delight in issuing provocative statements in a bid to grab political powers in 2015.

According to the President, leading opposition leaders are fond of making inciting statements as well as engage in action targeted at polarising the country to force their way to power.

He, therefore, counseled politicians to stop attacking his person, saying only Nigerians will decide their leaders at all levels in 2015.
His words: “It is a week to the end of the year.

“Next year from January, we will see all political actors campaigning and from the middle of February to the end, we will have the elections at the various levels.

“I believe we the politicians from our utterances, I am very sure that those of you who meant well for this country will never be happy with us.

“As a politician, you want people to elect you, to perform a responsibility.

“If you mean well for the country, the country is nobody’s personal estate, but you want to serve.

“If people want you to serve, you serve.
“If they say no, you leave.
“Nigeria is nobody’s personal estate.
“Nigeria is nobody’s business enterprise.
“Nigeria is nobody’s father’s property.
“It belongs to all Nigerians.

“I get embarrassed when we the politicians, may be including me, make provocative statements that create division among Nigerians.

“Statements that can set this country ablaze.
“I don’t think that is what a leader should do.
“I don’t think that is the kind of seed a leader should sow.

“Those who take government by violence, look at African countries, those who kill to take power, they never end well.

“Few cases, yes.

“Probably in society not everybody goes the same way but on the average one has recently happened in West Africa.

“If a politician wants to take power whether at the House of Assembly
level, at the House of Representatives or Senate or governor or president, you don’t sow seed of discord and enmity because of course, it will consume you.

“If you happen to serve as the head of government or as a president of this country, in fact at the national level, we have the highest authority called the Council of State.

“The permanent members of the Council of State are past presidents and past Chief Justice of the country.

“The idea is that they have vast experience in a number of things and they can bring their experiences to bear in terms of advising any president at anytime.

“That was why that body was created by the constitution.

“But if we abuse ourselves, kill ourselves to be in office, then who will
finish serving and still want to attend the Council of State meeting for
somebody who probably abuse you through life.

“It is not possible.

“For us who are looking for various offices, we should just talk about what we can do for Nigerians.

“You can market yourself but not to sow the seed of discord.

“For a politician to stand up, who is even a Christian, to say that if he fails election, he will form a parallel government.

“What makes him feel that he must win the election?

“Even me as a serving president, what makes me feel I must win the
election no matter what I think I am?

“Nigerians will decide who will govern them at the state level or federal
level, state assemblies or the National Assembly in terms of the federal constituencies and the senatorial districts.

“It is not you who is looking for the office to think that you are the best
person to be there.

“Are you the most qualified person even by certificate?

“Are you telling me your certificate is larger than that of others or you
even have more certificate?

“It is the chance of the people and the will of God.”