Leave outgoing govs alone •Jonathan tells govs-elect •Says he will govern without bias •Nigerian leaders should shun corruption …

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reminded state governors-elect that the tenure of incumbent governors, who failed to get re-election would end on May 29 and, therefore, should be allowed to carry on with the business of governance without harassment.

He spoke at the 2011 induction/symposium organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for newly elected and re-elected governors at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, where he observed that he was worried about the emerging trend of governors-elect attempting to run the show in their states, even when they had not assumed office.

According to him, “I have heard disturbing news of some governors-elect attempting to interfere in the governance of their states. The serving governors have the constitutional mandate to run the affairs of the states till May 29, 2011.

“We must not set a precedent that will haunt us when we leave office. We are all indigenes of our states. If we must attract the respect of the people, then we must play politics without bitterness.

“My belief, and I hope your belief also, is that by the end of the next four years, Nigerians must see that the present generation of politicians has taken the country to a level that the generations to come will commend. We must set a clear agenda that will take us to the Promised Land,” he said.

Jonathan, who congratulated the newly elected and re-elected governors on their election, said that the election placed a huge responsibility on them and, therefore, could not afford to fail, saying, “the outstanding success of the 2011 elections and the wide local and international acclaim which the exercise has received imposes a huge burden of responsibility on all of us who have received the mandate of the people.”

He observed that Nigerians had unequivocally demonstrated their commitment to the sustenance of democracy, adding that it was “our collective duty as the elected representatives of the people to work, not only to entrench, deepen and strengthen the structures and institutions of democratic governance in the country but to also enhance the welfare and well-being of the people; promote growth and development; and inspire the people’s confidence in the political leadership.

“These, we can only achieve through transparent, accountable, purpose-driven, people-centred and God-fearing leadership. The times call for renewed resolve and renewed courage, as we face up to the sundry developmental and economic challenges confronting the nation,” he said.

Jonathan admonished the elected officials to be committed to the ideals of democratic governance, especially with respect to strict adherence to the principles of the rule of law, separation of powers and cooperation between the three arms of government; as well as between the federal, state and local governments.

He further advised the political leaders to be in the forefront of preaching peace and harmony and not violence, saying “as chief law officers, we have the obligation of ensuring the security of life and property of citizens of this country.”

The president promised that “I will continue to run a Nigerian government that will be totally committed to handling Nigerian problems without sentiment or bias,” while he assured the governors of the preparedness of the Federal Government to avail them of the requisite support at all times.

In his opening address, the chairman of NGF and governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the programme was organised to afford new and returning governors the opportunity to share in the experiences of their peers, as well as senior colleagues and former governors from Nigeria and other parts of the world.

He was optimistic that it would assist the new governors and the older ones to better engage with the enormous responsibilities of their office and ultimately improve the quality of governance in our country.

The Resident Coordinator of United Nations (UN) System in Nigeria, Mr Dauda Toure, who also spoke on the occasion, informed the participants that the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, would be in the country from Sunday to Tuesday, to discuss with members of the NGF.

Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the UN, Maitama Yusuf; a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku and Reverend Father Mathew Kukah also admonished the leaders to shun corrupt attitudes and work toward the development of the country.