President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to deal decisively with anyone who may decide to foment trouble before, during and after the 2015 general elections.

He said he would wield the big stick against troublemakers because of the post-2011 elections violence that erupted in some parts of the country.

Jonathan read the Riot Act in his New Year message broadcast on radio and television networks early on Thursday morning.

He said his administration would not tolerate a repeat of the 2011 orgy of violence.

“After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections,” the President declared.

Jonathan observed that the general elections were important for the country, saying their successful conclusion would further strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and place it more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.

He said given the challenges that had characterised some previous electoral contests in the country, the eyes of the world would be on the conduct and outcome of what he described as the nation’s fifth post-military rule general elections.

He reassured Nigerians and the international community of his administration’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

The President added, “My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering. Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch. We will continue to do so for the coming elections.

“We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs. This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.

“The national security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free.”

Jonathan reiterated his position that no political ambition was worth the blood of any Nigerian.

He urged politicians, as they carry out their campaigns, not to promote sectionalism, disunity or hate.

Jonathan further advised them to conduct their campaigns with decorum and civility towards opponents.

“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015,” the President added.

He said all Nigerians of voting age were free to vote during the elections based on their convictions.

Jonathan also assured Nigerians that political campaigns and the general elections would not distract his administration from its ongoing efforts to improve their living conditions.

He promised that his involvement in the campaigns and election as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party notwithstanding, he would remain focused on providing good governance and delivering better public services to Nigerians.

He said, “Being very conscious of the inherent perils of our over-reliance on income from crude oil exports for national development, we have focused on accelerating the diversification of our economy.

“The non-oil sector, which has grown by an average of eight per cent in the last few years, is now a major driver of growth in our economy.

“The 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening our efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.

“The budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely. We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy. We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt.

“In 2015, this administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that ensure economic stability.

“We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures.

“We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers. We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.

“We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen risk-based supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system.”

Wishing Nigerians a happy and prosperous 2015, the President urged them to enter the new year with renewed hope, patriotism and zeal to serve their fatherland.

He reiterated his position that all the challenges facing the nation are surmountable.

“As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable. We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.

“As we go into this New Year, I salute the indomitable and resilient spirit of our people in Nigeria and wherever they are in the world. Our spirit of enterprise and the doggedness to succeed amongst all odds has been our strength.”

The President praised the gallant officers, men and women of the Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.



http://www.punchng.com/news/2015-jonathan-vows-to-crack-down-on-troublemakers/

Clown of a president! At the same time, you should have assured us that rigging would be frowned upon. That is your only way to win which we are prepared to prevent. We are ready to shock you at the poll if you dare tamper with ballot boxes.

This idjiot should first crack down on Boko Haram. Not all government action has to be dictated by his personal interest. Bring back our girls

imagine a man that can't control his wife saying let me caution your wife for you.

What a joker he is.

Buhari for President jare

My president should use his power to deal with some animal in human skin we have in Nigeria.

Maybe he should start cracking down on Asari Tompolo and his drunk brothers

The way cracked down on Obanikoro for "militarization" of Ekiti and Osun Elections. They way he cracked down on perpetrator of missing $20 billion NNPC money, pension fund, Kerosene subsidy, otedola bribery scandal, Stella oduah. ...

Abeg go and sit down.......44 days more for you and your cohorts before GMB start cracking on y'all. ...

i now believe that these APC guys are paid to keep vigil here on nairaland.
their mode of operation is to always be the first ten guys to comment on any thread that springs up to dictate the pace and tone of the ensuing discourse.
it is just pathetic.
like their pay is hinged on how many likes they can garner.

promise upon promise.
#adonbilivit

Is the President just waking up to his responsibilities? rather than tackle security issues he was blaming APC and Buhari. I hope he beef up security in every part of Nigeria as we prepare for the February contest. God Bless Muhammadu Buhari and every Nigerian

pistol:
i now believe that these APC guys are paid to keep vigil here on nairaland.
their mode of operation is to always be the first ten guys to comment on any thread that springs up to dictate the pace and tone of the ensuing discourse.
it is just pathetic.
like their pay is hinged on how many likes they can garner.

Bros, so everyone on Nairaland live in Nigeria abi? Since you are in Naija, why are you still up as well

Is that another clueless comedy

holatin:
imagine a man that can't control his wife saying let me caution your wife for you.

What a joker he is.

Buhari for President jare

In the e-warriors' voice who type before thinking
Oh yes, GEJ has failed once again. He could not ensure that we be among the first to experience the new year. Even Zimbabwe experienced the new year before us.

Sai buhari.

holatin:
what is dis one saying, Ve you eaten sir ?

Just trying to show you how some of your fellow e-warriors type without thinking. They bring GEJ into everything and end their statements with Sai Buhari.

Jonathan good morning, after 5 years of Sleeping.

Change 2015

He spoke though like he meant it, yes I wouldn't support violence before, during or after the elections, his government should just provide a fair level playing ground....

If he has spoken this way concerning corruption and meant it, who knows, the government corruption status/perception of today might not have been

No human government can ever satisfy human being










Nigerians beware of GMB and his plans



God bless nigeria

ALL WE R ASKIN 4 IS A CHANGED NIGERIA. I REST MY CASE..

February has a lot of stories to tell.....

All I see is Lies! Lies!! Lies!!!

What is he saying

***yinmu***

Hmm..I pray he will redeem his vows




#All we need is change

Yimu... weak president.

Vote Change !
Vote APC !!
Vote Buhari !!!

U
V

eedris07:
W

X
Y

Buhari hope say u dey hear am

Walk the talk Mr. Clueless!

Ensure that elections are not only free, fair and credible but are also seen to be so. If you do this, you will have prevented post election violence.

The type of massive rigging of 2011 will not be accepted by Nigerians this time around. That was an election you didn't even need to rig but we saw how you got 98 and 99% of votes in some states. We also saw how votes counted exceeded number of accredited voters in your stronghold states.

So, campaign on issues, conduct credible elections and let the votes count. If you win, we will congratulate you and resign to our fate for another long four years of looting, insecurity and directionless rulership from you.

I
J

davo90tico:
K

L
M

GEJ new year resolution is to Crack Down On
Troublemakers(APC)

adekennis:
My single vote would be counted to kick clueless out of villa come 2015..Change I need even if na shekau to take over..Bleep d PDP

Hit like button if u desperately want change

hungry fella