NIGERIA IS NOBODY'S PERSONAL ESTATE - JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday said he was embarrassed by the provocative utterances of some politicians which are capable of setting the country on fire.
He spoke at a special Christmas service at St. Mathew’s Anglican Church in Maitama, Abuja.
According to the president, rather than resort to provocative statements, politicians and those who seek leadership positions in the country should be more concerned with issues.
“As a politician, you want people to elect you to perform your responsibilities. If you mean well for the country, you wouldn’t be fanning the embers of discord and hatred.
“Nigeria is no body’s personal estate, but you want to serve. If the people want you to serve, you serve. But if they say no, then leave.

“So, I get embarrassed when we the politicians make provocative statements, statements that create division among Nigerians and that can set this country ablaze.
“I don’t think that is what a leader should do; it is not the kind of seed a leader should sow.
“Those who take government by violence hardly end well, examples abound in some of these other African countries.
“So, if a politician is interested in power at any level, you don’t sow seed of discord and enmity because it will consume you if you try to” the president said.
While thanking religious leaders and other Nigerians for their continued prayers for peace and unity in the country, president Jonathan noted that but for the intercession of these people, the challenges facing the country could have been worse.
The president assured that the problems confronting the country was temporary as God has a special interest in Nigeria.
The Primate of the Anglican Church, the Most Revd Nicholas Okoh who presided over the service in a sermon titled “The Jewish Messianic Expectations and 2015 Elections” said the 2015 elections were a critical period in the country.
He told those seeking political offices at various levels to strive to meet the expectations of Nigerians which primarily bothers on peace, freedom, security and general prosperity.
For the Nigerian electorate, the head of the Nigerian Anglican church enjoined them to be guided by the common good of every Nigerians, noting that if they elect people that don’t care, their conditions would worsen.
He called on Nigerians to pray and work together to put “an end to the reproach” of the insecurity in some parts of the country.
“We need to stop viewing security issues as politics. It is everyone’s duty to join in the fight against terrorists and rescue our nation” he said.
He warned criminals who specialis in vandalising power installations and other national economic saboteurs to desist. From such act or face the wrath of God and that of the people.
In a remark at the new banquet hall of the presidential Villa where christian and muslim residents of the FCT paid him the traditional Christmas homage, the president took a swipe at unnamed leaders who seek to denigrade the country for selfish reasons.