Editorial: President Jonathan, General Buhari, Our Stand

This week looks beautiful, hopeful and indeed, fulfilling for lovers of serenity, peace and tranquility, away from the madness that hems-in the humanity today.
It was General Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military Head of State and chieftain of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) who first flew the kite. The General obviously threw personal and if you like, group pride away, to wear the toga of father, yes, father.
He came out into the open to condemn in strong term, the bomb incidence at Nyanya in Abuja and kidnap of over 200 female students in Chibok in Borno state, declaring: “while we are engaged in tight political competition against the ruling party, we shall not play politics on this issue so vital to our national survival and wellbeing.
“We pledge ourselves to the unity and safety of this nation and shall do nothing to undermine national security. We seek no political advantage from this calamity and wish the present administration success in fighting it.
“We stand ready to help in any meaningful and productive way to fight this battle against evil. We extend our hand and earnest offer of cooperation in this regard.
“Nigeria and Nigerians have suffered enough. Those who now lead the nation and those who would lead her must overlook political differences to find whatever ways we can cooperate to make this a safer, more secure nation for all.”
As gladdening as this Buhari’s write up was, came also President Goodluck Jonathan’s prompt reaction, which increased the joy and beauty in politicking and oppositing.
The President commended Buhari for his statesman-like views on terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, believing that the position taken by General Buhari “is that of a true patriot, respected former Head of State, revered elder statesman and nationalist.”
He acknowledged Buhari’s call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and work in unity to overcome terrorists and other merchants of death who currently threaten national security.
The President shares Buhari’s recommendation that the nation’s counter-terrorism strategies be further fine-tuned and considers as kind, Buhari’s offer of support and co-operation in dealing with the challenge of terrorism.

Jonathan assures Buhari of his Administration’s sincere commitment and dedication to the successful prosecution of the fight against terrorism and all other threats to national security, including his preparedness to work with him and all other patriotic Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, to strengthen national security and end the scourge of terrorism.
From all indications, there did not seem to be any form of compulsion on General Buhari to write and take the stand he took, neither was there any indication that President Jonathan was under any obligation to respond positively the way he did.
Clearly, in an ideal situation, this is the kind of scenario that should play out whenever Nigeria is faced by common enemy or challenge. The current confusing and frightening security situation that we are all contending with requires all Nigerians to rally round one another. However, Nigerians, especially the leaders, had never recognized, appreciated and treated an ideal situation whenever it rears its head.
Either that those who are not in the leadership position are in the pull-him down struggle or that those in the leadership position see themselves as Alpha and Omega. Those in the leadership position are also wont to see every good and genuine action of those outside there with a kind of suspicion.
Either way, Nigeria has often been thrown into helpless danger as politicking and finger-pointing take the centre stage.
We in Greenbarge Reporters, published by Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited, are exhilarated therefore, by General Buhari’s initiative to unleash his anger on the agents of divisiveness and his open declaration that his party, APC, would not play politics with the issue that is clearly threatening the unity and peace of the country, the same way we are exhilarated by the response of the President.
The beauty ensconced in the position of the two sides is in the voluntariliness and frankness. It is obvious that General Buhari volunteered to write and express his sadness over the slide of Nigeria into security morass, the same way, telepathically, President Jonathan was quick enough to get the message, responding, on his own volition, in equal terms.
To us in Greenbarge Reporters, yesterday, April 23, was a day of Nigeria’s renewal; a day of reunification; a day of understanding; a day that calls for celebration. We did celebrate, because we found happiness in such unity of purpose, which reinvigorates our faith in the oneness of this country.

It must be stressed that in conducting our online media practice, we have sworn to always be on the side of the truth and not to take side. May the new spirit in the polity, stoked by General Buhari, be productive and above all, may it last!