The Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, on Friday called on past military leaders?to “step aside” and allow the country to move forward.
He gave advice?in Abuja at a dinner organised by the Political Summit Group to mark President Goodluck Jonathan’s 55th birthday.
He added that time had come for the military to keep to its statutory function of maintaining peace in the country rather than dabbling into politics.
Gulak said the president came with a clear vision with transformation agenda, adding that he could not be intimidated by any past leader.
He said that the agenda had created a sense of direction to government programmmes because it had been able to meet the aspirations of Nigerians.
According to him, the constitutional role of each arm of government has been clearly spelt out in the constitution of the country for strict adherence.
Gulak stressed that ascendency of the President to the leadership of the country was “the wish of God,nobody can derail his activities.”
The adviser said what President Jonathan was doing was to rekindle peoples’ hope in governance, through the rule of law.
“Going down memory lane, the past leaders laid solid foundation for the development of this country, but there came the military with coups and counter coups to the? detriment of the nation,'' he said.
Gulak?urged the past military leaders to guide their utterances and actions, saying that doing otherwise would amount to truncating the nation’s young democracy.
He said the development of the country must be in partnership with all loving Nigerians to move the nation forward.
Gulak said that ”anybody not willing to join hands with the Federal Government, toward achieving this onerous task has the option of stepping aside.”
“There is need for positive partnership between the President and the leaders, but it must be such leaders that are not hungry for power but eager for development with clear vision,'' he said.
Mr Charles Inyang, leader South-South PDP Stakeholder’s Alliance, commended President Jonathan for doing “a good job that cannot be faulted by anybody in the country.”
He said his praise was based on the fact that the President had changed the way things were done and gave?the country a new sense of direction.
Inyang said time had come for Nigerians to give the President another chance for second term, in the interest of the nation. (NAN)