I'm Worried For Nigeria, Few Countries Around Us Are At War - Goodluck Jonathan

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has commented on the escalation of the conflict in West Africa, a region that threatens to affect Nigeria, too. In a peace event in Abuja, Jonathan recounted neighbours in wars and his deepening concern over Nigeria. Delivering a lead paper at a program to mark this year’s International Day of Peace on Thursday, organized by the IPCR, Jonathan said most of the conflicts worldwide and in Africa in particular are as a result of leadership tussle and the fight for power.

Jonathan pointed out that three of the ten most active conflict countries in the world are in sub-Saharan Africa, with others on the edge of conflict. He was making this comment as Nigeria struggles to contain internal political instabilities and insecurity. He urged the leaders of African countries, including Nigeria, to change their attitude and make the process of transfer of power as peaceful as possible for them because as he stressed, they are done for tranquillity and political turbulence

Looking at the Nigeria situation, Jonathan discussed political conflict in the history of the country and does not agree with the concept of politicization, namely, that politics is dirty. In his view, it is the political actors and their behaviour that compromise the system. The urge he makes regarding the need to reconsider how politics is conducted is equally imperative to the larger need for transformation in Nigeria’s leadership as it plans for the next elections.

The remarks by Jonathan continue the earlier statements he has made calling for transparent and irresistible upcoming elections, as well as the improvement of the democratic system. He also noted that feedback on the use of techniques, such as electronic voting machines, in eradicating Nigeria’s electoral vices will be inconsequential if the attitude of the political players is not transformed. 

Given that Nigeria is uncertain of the political front and countries around them are somewhat unstable, the message conveyed by Jonathan should be of awareness and strong leadership required to foster the process of peace.