admonished politicians and statesmen that were
heating up the polity saying that the country
belongs to all Nigerians.
The President was speaking at the Christmas day
service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent,
Anglican Communion, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
He said that the nation belonged to every Nigerian;,
"the common man, traditional rulers, religious
leaders, our men, our women."
Jonathan specifically cautioned the politicians
against making inflammatory statements that could
heat up the polity in the name of politics.
"For us at this time especially, we the politicians,
we think we own this country and begin to think
about next election and doing what we ought not to
do, making statement we ought not to make, writing
letters we suppose not to write.
"This country belongs to our statesmen, traditional
rulers, religious leaders, our men, our women, our
youth. Nigeria does not belong to any politician or
group of politicians.''
The president called on Nigerians to use the
occasion of the celebration of the birth of Jesus
Christ to pray for the country to overcome its
challenges, particularly, insecurity.
He noted that his administration had done
appreciably well in addressing the challenge of
terrorism.
"For those who know about terrorism, countries
that are infested with terror hardly get out of it."
He gave the example of the incidences in Abuja,
saying even the police headquarters was bombed
as well as the UN building right here in the seat of
government.
But for the proactive measure taken by the
government and our military, may be the next
target would have been the State House, Jonathan
lamented.
"So, we have to thank God that we have been able
to bring it to a reasonable level, though we are far
from getting there.
"There are a lot of challenges but we have to thank
God," he said.
Jonathan also reiterated that his style of leadership
was neither high handed nor dictatorial as expected
in some quarters.
Citing Biblical reference, the president said that the
Jews expected Jesus Christ as a saviour that
would liberate them even with violence, from the
Romans invasion.
"Whenever we go through the story of Christ and
leadership, it reminds you of the circumstances of
the Jew in the face of the political situation today.
"When Christ was born, the Jews were told that
God has giving them a King, a saviour, these are
the key words.
"The Jews were being dominated by the Romans, it
was like when we were under the colonial masters,
the Romans were governing them.
"So, when they said that there was born a king and
a Messiah, they were thinking they were getting
somebody who will come and lead them to war and
throw away all the Romans for them to be free.
"But when Christ was born, I believe a number of
the Jews were disappointed, the war they expected
was not his own style.
"So today, we have similar situation, the
expectations of the people are hardly met by
leaders," he said.
The president assured that his administration would
do its best to lead the country aright and to its
desired destination.
Earlier, in a sermon focused on Peace and Joy, the
Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, said
Christmas was a reminder of the Peace and Joy
that the birth of Jesus Christ brought to the world.
Okoh, who is also the Primate of the Church of
Nigeria, Anglican Communion, said that Jesus Christ
came to reconcile God with man and to take the
sins of mankind away and make the world a better
place.
According to him, enduring peace can only be found
in Jesus Christ, adding that "by nature, God is
peaceful.
Okoh urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to
embrace the lessons of Christmas, to be a source
of peace and joy to others
He added that it was in the interest of the country to
ensure that peace reigned as there was no other
country to go to.
The clergy urged Nigerians not to join anyone to
cause trouble that could lead to a situation of war.
Prayers were offered for the peace of the nation,
the president, his family and all Nigerians.
Those present at the Church service include, the
mother of the President, Madam Eunice, First lady,
Dame Patience, and Sen. Phillip Aduda, PDP-FCT.
The Ministers of Information, Labaran Maku, Police
Affairs, Caleb Olubolade and the Minister of State,
FCT, Mrs Jumoke Akinjide, service chiefs and
presidential aides were also at the service
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