President Jonathan today Tuesday Dec. 9th called on politicians to shun “ceaseless
quarreling” and engage in robust political debates that would strengthen
the country’s democracy.
Jonathan made the call at the public
presentation and official launch of the Kukah Centre, founded by
prominent cleric and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr.
Matthew Kukah.
Among other aims, the centre was established to strengthen national debate, improve governance and encourage Nigerians to take an active role in the country’s leadership. Jonathan said that the nation’s democracy should be deepened by robust debates, stimulation of innovative ideas and healthy engagements by all actors. “I call on everyone, the political class, our citizens and more importantly, the academic community to rise up to these challenges posed by this initiative (centre).
Among other aims, the centre was established to strengthen national debate, improve governance and encourage Nigerians to take an active role in the country’s leadership. Jonathan said that the nation’s democracy should be deepened by robust debates, stimulation of innovative ideas and healthy engagements by all actors. “I call on everyone, the political class, our citizens and more importantly, the academic community to rise up to these challenges posed by this initiative (centre).
“I think we are over defining our
democracy today by quarreling as if democracy is about competitors
quarreling just like motor park workers,” he said.
The president urged politicians to use the 2015 elections to renew their commitment to the country’s unity. He
said:
“As elections draw close, I call on all politicians to see this
as another opportunity for us to renew our commitment to deepen our
democracy and strengthen our bond of unity. “Democracy is not
about political parties and politicians alone, it is not just about
winning or losing elections; it is about freedom, about development and
above all a forward march of our civilisation and encouragement of
creativity.
“It is in this regard that we must seek to identify
and support the growth of structures and institutions that will help
strengthen our democracy to meet our aspirations as a people.” Jonathan
noted that policy research institutes like the Kukah Centre had been
pivotal to the social economic transformation of leading countries of
the world.
According to him, such centres have served as the laboratories of the development, inter-relation and the refinement of key government policies. He likened the Kukah Center to the Brooklyn Institute in America, which pioneered fact-based studies of government policies, using science as a key to analysis. The president then challenged Nigerian politicians to draw inspiration from it.
According to him, such centres have served as the laboratories of the development, inter-relation and the refinement of key government policies. He likened the Kukah Center to the Brooklyn Institute in America, which pioneered fact-based studies of government policies, using science as a key to analysis. The president then challenged Nigerian politicians to draw inspiration from it.
"I’m personally convinced that the centre could not have finer mentor
than the revered gentleman of long patriotic standing, Bishop Matthew
Hassan Kukah,” he added.
The centre also aims at promoting
conversations among Nigeria’s faith communities, as well as between
leaders in faith and public policy.
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