Most Of Us Joined Politics For Lack Of Work- President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said on Sunday
that about half of Nigerian politicians were
not meant to be in politics, but only turned
politicians as they had no choice.
The president was speaking at the Aso Rock Villa
Chapel, in response to a sermon by the Primate of
the Anglican Church, Nicholas Okoh, during the
post-pilgrimage thanksgiving tagged "What Shall I
Render To God."
The clergy in his sermon accused politicians of
being unforgiving.
Mr. Jonathan, in his remarks noted that this was
however not the case as politicians were ordinarily
very forgiving as they may later find themselves
working together with people who had earlier
wronged them.
"The chaplain accused us politicians that we do not
forgive, or that some politicians don't forgive.
Apparently the Bible said this, but politicians are
the people who forgive," the president said.
"Politicians are those who forgive because in
politics, whether local politics or national, you don't
have permanent friends or permanent enemies but
permanent interests.
"If somebody is your enemy today and there is a
change of interest and A becomes your friend, first
of all, you have to forgive otherwise you cannot
have a friend that you cannot work with.
"But politics is just like some kind of trade. More
than 50 per cent of us who are into politics are not
supposed to be politicians.
"For example, in the profession of nursing and
teaching, people with wicked hearts and
unforgiving spirit are not the kind of people who
should be nurses or teachers, but we find them
there.
"So, most of us who are in politics are not
supposed to be there but because we have no
other thing to do. So, if you see a politician than
cannot forgive, he is an impostor," the president
said.
The clergy had also during his sermon commended
the president for doing the right thing by signing
the anti-gay bill into law despite the obvious
pressure from "outside."
The anti-gay law prescribes various punishments as
well jail term for homosexual acts. It has been
widely criticized by western countries but many
Nigerians support the law.
Urging Christians to partake in the annual
pilgrimage, Archbishop Okoh noted that Nigeria
was also on a pilgrimage to reach its place in the
League of Nations where it is supposed to be.
To reach its purpose, the Primate said Nigeria
needs amongst others: Patience, Perseverance,
Cohesion, Discipline and focus.
On the centenary, he noted that as the country
celebrates its centenary it is a time for all Nigerians
to examine their personal contribution to the
nation in the last 100 years.
On the national dialogue, Archbishop Okoh noted
that this was a divine gift and opportunity to fine-
tune the polity. He also urged all those who will
partake, to do so "not for selfish reasons but to
speak for their people."

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.