President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday reminded politicians that the country’s constitution clearly stipulates the maximum terms for political office holders, hence no need to fight over positions that are transient.
Speaking at the dedication of a massive All Saints’ Anglican Church built for Mpu village in Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State, by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Jonathan posited that no leader can stay in office for life even when the constitution does not define terms.
The foundation of the church was laid on January 15, 2004.
President Jonathan is being criticised by the opposition for purportedly nursing a presidential ambition in 2015 even when he is alleged to have promised to do only one term.
The President decried a situation where politicians go to the extreme of burning houses of perceived opponents in the struggle for political power.
His words: “There is no point fighting for political leadership that is transient to the extent that you want to even burn a house down because they perceive you are not too comfortable with a particular situation, be it at the local level, be it at the state and federal levels.
“These are transitional leadership.
“Today, we have a constitution that defines the maximum tenure that any individual can stay in office.
“And even if the constitution does not define, no leader will stay there for life.
“I think collectively, we should think more about our own country, think more about leaving behind a society that our children will be happy of.
“I believe no leader can do everything for the society.
“But think about some key things and do those ones but try and do those ones very well.
“What I can promise Nigerians is that with your support we will succeed.
“We have our challenges, no doubt about that.
“But we are committed that we will make these little changes that will make a different in our lives.”
President Jonathan also called on well meaning Nigerians who have dual citizenship to pitch their tents with Nigeria so that collectively a prosperous nation could be built.
He said: “If we leave Nigeria and go elsewhere, you may have different passports that can take you to many countries without even visas.
“They will still regard you as a Nigerian.
“You cannot fit in properly until you come home.
“So, let us join hands and build a nation that we, our children and children yet unborn will be happy.
“Just like the Primate said, political leaders are transient, they come and go.
“As a leader, you always pray that as you go, you leave good footprints behind.”
Jonathan commended the donor, Ike Ekweremadu, for fulfilling his covenant with God, saying: “Ike has been able to build a church for Mpu community.
“We have to thank God for giving Matthias (his late father) a son like Ike.”
The Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, in his sermon, regretted that Nigeria is still going through several challenges in spite of being a very religious country.
Okoh attributed the country’s inability to progress positively to “human manipulations” and prayed that “God will expose them.
“It is a shame that we have not been able to harness this powerful resource to the benefit of our country.
“It means somebody is not sincere.
“We must all work hard to deliver our country together.
“We should have a new resolution to go out and transform our society.
“It is wisdom therefore to build this place (Nigeria) and this government in power should be a transition to the new order.”
Okoh later prayed for President Jonathan, saying: “He came to this position through your grace, may he not be disgraced out.
“There may be people who are not happy with him, may You protect him from their powers.
“Give him the grace as the man who transformed this country.
“May he not go home empty handed.
“May our destiny as a nation be fulfilled.”
An excited Ekweremadu, in his remarks, thanked God for preserving his life to witness the dedication of the church. He said: “As a young man growing up, I saw homelessness.”
He noted that this gingered him to make a covenant to build a church should he be successful in life.
Ekweremadu added: “I said God because of this challenges surrounding me, if you make me successful in life, I will build a church for you.
“And from that day, it has been one progress or the other.
“Today is a very important day in the life of my family.
“It is the most important day in my life because God has given us the opportunity to redeem our pledge and covenant.”
Present at the ceremony were Senate President David Mark, who read the first lesson from Exodus 12:14 to 36; Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha; Governors Theodre Orji of Abia and Peter Obi of Anambra States; Ministers of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Aviation, Mrs Stella Odua; Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri; and presidential aides.
Others were Senators Ayogu Eze, Tunde Ogbeha, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Fran Nweke jnr and Osita Chidoka.
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