By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan affirmed Wednesday that the country was ready for dialogue with insurgents and other armed groups.

"To all those waging war against our country, I ask that you lay down your arms and embrace peace," Jonathan said in an Independence Day broadcast.

He did not directly mention the notorious Boko Haram militant group, which has been battling the Nigerian state for the past five years, but said the country remained in a "somber mood" as a result of the "activities of terrorists."

"To those who have genuine grievances, I affirm that Nigeria will listen to you if you bring your grievances to the table of dialogue," Jonathan said.

Over the past five years, Boko Haram has terrorized Nigeria's northeastern region, killing thousands of people and destroying numerous businesses.

In recent weeks, group militants have overrun several towns across the restive northeastern region, declaring them part of an "Islamic caliphate."

Last week, Nigerian authorities said they had killed a man who the military had claimed was impersonating "deceased" Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in recent videos posted online.

Information Minister Labaran Maku later said the country wanted to see Boko Haram members lay down their arms and embrace peace.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is forbidden" in Nigeria's local Hausa language, first emerged in the early 2000s preaching against government misrule and corruption.

The group later became violent, however, after the death of its leader in 2009 while in police custody.

In the five years since, the group – outlawed by Nigeria, Turkey and the U.S. – has been blamed for numerous attacks on places of worship and government institutions and thousands of deaths.

An estimated six million people have been displaced in the region as a direct result of the violence.

Strides

President Jonathan has repeatedly cited what he describes as the "giant strides" made by his administration, including energy-sector reforms; the recent creation of two million jobs; the launch of development initiatives in the crisis-ridden northeast; and a recently concluded national conference the outcome of which he has pledged to implement.

"To the good people of Nigeria, let me restate that our task of building a better and greater country must not waver," he declared.

"Our administration has made a commitment to ensure that we build and sustain a democratic infrastructure anchored on free and fair elections," the president asserted.

He added: "International and local observers have attested to the positive evolution of electoral credibility, and we cannot afford to relent."

Nigeria gained its political independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, becoming a republic three years later, shedding the British Queen's suzerainty over the West African nation.

The country nevertheless remains a member of the British Commonwealth.

Jonathan called on Nigeria's political class to avoid dissension and polarization as the country heads to another general election year in 2015.

"We will continue to ensure that the will of the electorate prevails, so that political leaders will be reminded at all times that there is a day of reckoning when they have to go back to the people at the polls," he said.

"Election days must not be days of violence and death. We must remain vigilant to ensure that our electoral process is characterized by peace, security and transparency," the president added.

"Free and fair elections have come to stay; nothing else will be acceptable to our people," insisted Jonathan, who is widely expected to stand for reelection against the emergent – but more organized – All Progressive Congress.

By Rafiu Ajakaye

englishnews@aa.com.tr

www.aa.com.tr/en