Politics 2014: Atiku Speaks His Mind on Nigerian Politicians & Elections

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LequteMan

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on his personal blog (www.atiku.org) has opened up about what he thinks the year holds for Nigerian politics and politicians.

In an entry titled “2014: My thoughts on Nigeria, politics, elections and social media,” Atiku said the year 2014 is an important year for the world, being the centenary of the start of the 1st World War.

“There will be a lot of things happening this year. We will see elections in Ekiti and Osun States, and we will see preparations for the 2015 elections. How time flies! All eyes are on Nigeria, and there is much nervousness at home and abroad, about how this season will play out,” he wrote.

“I believe the political class has a responsibility to start this year pledging their commitment towards peaceful electioneering. We all must shun incendiary language, and all action that leaves the impression that the electoral battle is a do-or-die one. There’s nothing do-or-die about politics! There is no justification for the loss of even a single life, in the quest for the realisation of a political ambition.”

“Now is the time to start holding ourselves to higher standards. There is too much toxic language in the political space at the moment. No one ever said politics should or could happen without disagreement. It is in the very nature of politics that its players should belong to different camps. But we can compete and disagree sensibly, without descending into abuse and violence.”

“At the end of the day it is not the angry press statements and conferences that bring development; it is well-thought-out plans and policies.”

He also intends to set a good example by devoting a sizable portion of his time and attention to matters of public policy and good governance.

“And politicians will be judged, not on the basis of what party they belong to, or how many pages of letters they can write, but on the basis of how they’re able to touch the lives of the people they profess to serve,” he added.

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