‘2015 election’ll determine Nigeria’s existence’ WHO WILL BE THE PRESIDENT 2015

Former military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, yesterday declared that the forthcoming 2015 general elections would determine the continuous existence of Nigeria as united and indivisible entity.
Abubakar, who was the last ruler, and who midwifed the present democratic governance in 1999, made the declaration at the Second Peoples Media Limited conference in Abuja, etitled, “Nigeria, the 2015 Question.”

The ex-head of state, who was the chairman of the event, pointed out that 2015 has become a decider for the country’s continuity because the north was seriously pushing to regain the presidency, even though President Goodluck Jonathan appears interested in having another term.
“As political animals that we are, nothing seems to have gripped our imagination of Nigerians as the issue of the coming 2015 general elections which in my view is a watershed moment in the history of our dear country.
“The way we are able to handle this very important event will largely determine how successful we will be in our efforts at remaining a united, indivisible and stable country.
“Already, the fault lines are apparent and politicians are ready to exploit them to the fullest to achieve their sometimes not so noble objectives.
“The 2015 elections are, among other things, expected to determine where power will reside. The North is determined to have it back and its leaders are pulling all the stops to see that that happens.
“On the other hand, the body language of the incumbent president strongly suggests he wants another term,” General Abubakar stated. He expressed worries that the unfolding scenario in the polity might portent a great danger to the country if Nigerians from all parts of the country do not close ranks and put the country’s interest first.
The sad and tragic experience of the 2011 post election violence, he pointed out, was a reminder that election matters had become serious business that must be handled with utmost seriousness and patriotism in order to avoid a repeat.
However, he expressed confidence that the country could collectively rise above this challenge and deliver elections that not only Nigerians, but Africa and the rest of the world would be proud of.
“For this to happen, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has a key role to play in ensuring free and fair elections that express the will of the people,” Abubakar said. Stressing that Nigerians would appreciate his passion on elections as someone who midwifed the nation’s democratic experiment, Abubakar said he was always distressed when the country fails to organise free and fair elections, which was crucial to sustaining a democratic culture.
His words: “As someone who had the honour to midwife our new democratic experiment back in 1999, I am sure Nigerians will appreciate why I am very passionate about elections. In his remaks, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, who was the guest of honour at the occasion, said 2015 was “pregnant” because of the elections.
According to him, the key to the successful holding of the election is in the hands of President Jonathan and the Attahiru Jega-led INEC, as well as political office holders.
Tambuwal noted that practically every discussion today have been shadowed by the coming general elections and that it has made the usually challenging federal system more difficult.
He attributed the problem to tribalism and nepotism, saying they have become such a critical part of “our policy and politics that people often feel that they will not be reckoned with unless their candidate, their tribesman or woman, or their party wins.”
The speaker said the country must learn to run its government in such a manner that whoever is in power would guarantee the rights and privileges of every citizen. “Once we stop seeing power as an opportunity to enrich our friends and cronies but an opportunity to leave positive mark on governance, the extreme views that people hold over candidates for elections will be substantially moderated.