By Wole Mosadomi

Minna—Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has described 2015 as very crucial to Nigeria and has therefore called on everyone to remain more focused on building the culture of peace for the survival of the Nation.

“2015 is a crucial year for Nigeria and irrespective of religious, political or ideological differences people must support genuine efforts aimed at ensuring that the forthcoming general elections is successful and devoid of needless bickering capable of threatening the nation’s corporate existence,” the Forum stated.

The forum chairman and Governor of Niger state, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel A. Ebije, enjoined Nigerians to enter the year 2015 with renewed hopes, stressing that Nigerians cannot afford to miss out in numerous opportunities that the new year has to offer.

The Forum called on politicians   to play politics according to the rules of the game adding that stakeholders must shun acts capable of plunging the entire country into avoidable crisis stressing that the unity and developmental aspirations of Nigeria is sacrosanct.

“We must all make sure that the forthcoming election is devoid of violence. All hands must be on deck. The electoral body and other critical establishments connected to the forthcoming elections must be ready to go extra miles in the execution of their respective assignments. We also expect security agencies to subject their personnel to necessary pre-election monitoring trainings and programs”.

According to the statement,”It is indeed instructive for politicians to desist from overheating the polity with inciting comments, hate speech as well as blackmail. We should think of what benefits the entire country than what individuals stand to gain. This is the only country we can call our own. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that things go on well. The numerous doomsday prophecies bandied around by evil men can be reversed. Nigerian is sure to survive even this electioneering period”.

The Governors wished Nigerians a prosperous and fruitful 2015 just as they urged all Nigerians to be prayerful, law-abiding to see Nigeria as a collective dream and aspiration that can only be achieved when people work hard and remain committed to core societal ideals.

The Forum predicted that Nigeria is on the verge of attaining greatness beginning from this very year adding that those who think the nation won’t survive the general election will be put to shame at the end.