No Pressure ‘II Make Me Govern As A Soldier -Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday  said that he would not succumb to pressure to govern the country with high-handedness in addressing the various challenges confronting the country.

He made the remarks at the inter-denominational service to mark the 51st Independence Anniversary at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The President said he listened to various opinions by many people, particularly in the media, that the nation needed to be governed with high-handedness.

He, however, said he did not take to such advice as he was not cut out for such type of leadership.

“If you listen to Nigerians, by reading the newspapers, and through their statements, some Nigerians will want the President of this country to be a lion or a tiger.

“Some others will want the President to operate like a military general, like the Chief of Army Staff. Incidentally, I am not a lion and I am not also a General.

“Some people will want the President to operate like, when you read the Bible history, the Kings of Syria, the Kings of Babylon and the Kings of Egypt, the Pharaohs.

“They want the President to operate that way. Unfortunately, I am not one of those,’’ Jonathan said.

The president said he needed not to be a “lion’’ or a maximum ruler like the biblical Nebuchadnezzar to change the country and pilot state affairs to greatness.

He assured that the ship of the Nigerian state was on course, and solicited the prayers of Nigerians for God’s direction.

“What I can assure you is that Nigeria is on course and with your prayers and the guidance of God, we will surely get to the destination we desire,’’ Jonathan said.

He noted that while there are some elements in the country working towards frustrating government and bringing it down, he was positive that with God on his side they would fail.

“Every Goliath has an exposed forehead. All the Goliaths that are trying to be the stumbling blocks to the development of this country, God will expose their heads to the stone of David,’’ the President prayed.

He congratulated every Nigerian on the occasion of the 51st anniversary and assured that with the help of God, he would lead the country to greatness.

Earlier in a sermon titled ‘Mighty Fortress Is Our God’, the former Head of ECWA Church, Prof. Yusuf Turaki, had said the country would overcome its challenges with God’s help.

He called on Nigerians to embrace the attributes of love, prayers, hope and faith in God in every of the challenges confronting the nation.

Our correspondent reports that the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, took the service’s first scripture reading from the Book of Psalms in the Bible.

Congregational prayers were also offered for the nation and its government.

The First Lady, Dame Patience, the President’s mother, Madam Ayi, and other members of the President’s family were at the service.

Other dignitaries at the service included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, Ministers, presidential aides, clergymen and leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).