SPECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali has stressed the need for Nigerians to defend and protect the nation’s democracy if it must be sustained and guaranteed.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja weekend, Prof. Alkali, warned that ahead of 2015 general elections, all Nigerians must rise against those he described as desperate politicians working hard to bring down democratic governance and structure in the country, adding that President Jonathan has transformed the electoral process to a level where every vote counts and Nigerians must build on these gains.
The Political Adviser said, “Since the President has committed himself to provide a level-playing field, it is our own duty also to follow suit. So far, PDP has been giving the lead and we have evidence to show that over the past three years or more every effort has been made to entrench a system of open accountability in the electoral system.
“You people are living witnesses on several occasions when Mr. President, during the 2011 election and subsequently at every opportunity he had to speak, has said two things on two different levels.
“One, he has said that as far as he was concerned any of his ambition is not worth the blood of any citizen in this country and when Mr. President speaks, I believe he speaks from his heart.
“Secondly, the mantra we used in the previous election has been, as the President has called it himself, one man one vote, one woman one vote, one youth one vote.
“So we thought that the line has been drawn, that issues of violence should not be part of our democratic culture at all. Issue of do-or-die should not be part of our democratic culture again.
“So we are calling on all Nigerians to be very mindful that as we are setting our attention now towards Osun State and subsequently elections, people should be very careful they are not be used by desperate politicians.”
Speaking with journalists in Abuja weekend, Prof. Alkali, warned that ahead of 2015 general elections, all Nigerians must rise against those he described as desperate politicians working hard to bring down democratic governance and structure in the country, adding that President Jonathan has transformed the electoral process to a level where every vote counts and Nigerians must build on these gains.
The Political Adviser said, “Since the President has committed himself to provide a level-playing field, it is our own duty also to follow suit. So far, PDP has been giving the lead and we have evidence to show that over the past three years or more every effort has been made to entrench a system of open accountability in the electoral system.
“You people are living witnesses on several occasions when Mr. President, during the 2011 election and subsequently at every opportunity he had to speak, has said two things on two different levels.
“One, he has said that as far as he was concerned any of his ambition is not worth the blood of any citizen in this country and when Mr. President speaks, I believe he speaks from his heart.
“Secondly, the mantra we used in the previous election has been, as the President has called it himself, one man one vote, one woman one vote, one youth one vote.
“So we thought that the line has been drawn, that issues of violence should not be part of our democratic culture at all. Issue of do-or-die should not be part of our democratic culture again.
“So we are calling on all Nigerians to be very mindful that as we are setting our attention now towards Osun State and subsequently elections, people should be very careful they are not be used by desperate politicians.”
