Renowned constitutional lawyer and leader of the Patriots, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, has reiterated his earlier call on President Goodluck Jonathan not to succumb to pressure to run for a second term in 2015.
According to the former Minister, who led members of the Patriots to meet with President Goodluck at the State House on Thursday, his personal view was that Jonathan should opt to be a hero by concluding the transformation of the country and quit office after one term.
Speaking with State House correspondents, Prof Nwabueze, however, said it is not in doubt that President Jonathan is entitled to second term in office but insisted he should take the path of honour by not running.
His words: “I still believe that the greater amount of problem of this country is national transformation.
“That you cannot combine national transformation with contesting election.
“The two are so different because once you get involved in the election campaigns, you undermine your authority to lead the nation for national transformation and I said if I were the President of Nigeria, I would restrict myself in serving the nation.
“In transforming this country, in creating a new Nigeria and in creating a new society, that would be my concern and he would go down in history as a hero.
“So if Mr. President does that, he would become hero of this country.
“But it is for him to choose.
“But if I were him, I would choose to become a hero, to lead the country into transformation and abandon the ambition of a second term.
“That is what I said and I still stand by it.
“That is what I would do if I were the president of the country.
“But unfortunately, I’m not.”
On the eligibility of Jonathan for the election, Nwabueze said: “Nobody is questioning his eligibility.
“The President is eligible but whether he would contest or not is a personal decision for him to take.”
The Patriots had in the address presented to President Jonathan urged him to support the production of a new constitution that truly derives its authority directly from the people of Nigeria.
The address reads in part: “I complement you for your initiative of introducing a transformation agenda. It is what Nigeria needs. Above all things, we need to transform this country.
“It is a great credit to you that you recognize this. We congratulate Your Excellency for recognizing the need for national transformation and moving Nigeria in that direction,”
The need for national transformation, Nwabueze said, was the main reason for the Patriots’ continued calls for a national conference.
Responding, President Jonathan told the delegation that his administration had no objection to Nigerians coming together to discuss how they will continue to live together in peace and unity.
The President told the group that there has been constant discussion within government on how to create an acceptable and workable platform for a national dialogue that will reinforce the ties that bind the country’s many ethnic nationalities and ensure that Nigeria’s immense diversity continues to be a source of strength and greatness.
He added: “The limitation we have is that the constitution appears to have given that responsibility to the National Assembly.
“I have also been discussing the matter with the leadership of the National Assembly.
“We want a situation where everyone will key into the process and agree on the way forward.”
Jonathan thanked the Patriots for acknowledging the Federal Government’s efforts to implement his administration’s agenda of national transformation.
On the Patriots’ delegation were Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Solomon Asemota, Engr. Chris Okoye, Chief Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd.), Prof. Kimse Okoko and Michael Orobator.
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