"2015 elections will determine Nigeria’s unity and stability" - Abdulsalami Abubakar

Nigeria’s former military head of state, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd) has warned that whether or not Nigeria will remain united and stable will be determined by the handling of 2015 general elections.

General Abubakar, who was speaking at a forum in Abuja, said politicians must desist from making 2015 ticket a do or die affair as some of their activities tends to put Nigeria at great risk.

“The way we are able to handle this very important event will largely determine how successful we will be in our efforts at remaining a united, indivisible ad stable country” he said.

He also noted that “the forte lines are apparent and politicians are ready to exploit them to the fullest to achieve their sometimes not so notable objectives” adding that “the 2015 elections, is among other things, expected to determine where power will reside in the next four years”.

He further maintained that the “north is determined to have it (power) back and its leaders are pulling all the stunts to see that that happens.

“On the other hand, the body language of the incumbent and the ruling party strongly suggests that the incumbent wants another term” warning that “unfolding scenario may portend danger to our nation, if Nigerians from all parts of the country do not close rank and put the interest of the nation back”.

He said the post-election crisis of 2011 is enough reason to make Nigerian politicians check their actions and utterances.

“The sad and tragic experience of the 2011 post-election violence is a reminder that election methods have become a serious business that must be handled with utmost seriousness and patriotism in order to avoid a repeat” he said.