Jonathan chides politicians over provocative statements

June 12, 2014

 

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday chided some politicians, who he said were busy making terrible statements that do not portray the character of good politics.

He said politicians must learn to make utterances that could give Nigerians hope.

Jonathan spoke during the swearing in of his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufa’i Alkali; a commissioner with the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mr. Simon Etim; and three permanent secretaries – Mr. Nanpon Danjuma, Mr. Binta Bello and Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye.

The event took place shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, which was dedicated to the late former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akinyuli.

The President said by virtue of his new position, Alkali was like his Group Managing Director on Political Issues, and should, therefore, take his assignment seriously.

He said, “Your appointment is key because you are the chief spokesperson of the President on political issues. When one listens to some of the comments that we politicians make, sometimes they could be terrible and may not portray the character of good politics.

“We are supposed to be nation builders. Even though it is extremely difficult to agree that a politician could be a statesman because we tend to be partisan. But at least in our utterances, we should give Nigerians hope that this country will be together and that we must unite and collectively forge ahead to develop our country.

“You are a very matured person, and I believe that in your conduct, your utterances, your actions and inactions, you will portray a good character – a character that politicians and young people will use as role models.”

The President urged the new commissioner to join the FSCC to imbibe the culture that people who are qualified for employment should get it, irrespective of who they know.

“No matter how highly placed you are as the President, the Vice President, members of the National Assembly, we were voted in by all Nigerians. So, we all owe all Nigerians our service, and of course, we must make sure that whatever is available in this country goes to everybody, irrespective of who he knows.

“That is the key and that is the message and the key component of our transformation agenda,” he said.