President Goodluck Jonathan has demonstrated on a number of occasions that he has imbibed good lessons about Nigerian politics from his faltering beginning, especially as a leader.
He has demonstrated the art of patience; of waiting to size up the opinions of the citizens, especially on major national issues, though, history has shown that not all majority opinions are right.
President Jonathan demonstrated his understanding of the rope, during the removal of subsidy on fuel which led to national uprising. And or he was taught a lesson by it.
Since the calls have been coming from various quarters, on him to contest the next year’s Presidential election for another term of four years in office, he has maintained a dignified aloofness and some measure of silence.
We in Greenbarge Reporters were particularly impressed by a statement he personally made recently, to the effect that he would consider certain factors before he declares his position publicly.
He had said: “in deciding on an appropriate response to such calls (on him to run for the Presidency in 2015), I will place the greater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security, political stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness above any personal ambition or sectional agenda.”
The President, never the less, thanked “the many individuals, stakeholders, groups, associations, non-governmental organizations, unions and political leaders from across the country who have, in recognition and appreciation of our efforts and commitment to repositioning our dear nation for more rapid growth and development, urged me to seek a second term in office.”
Jonathan did not only talk about himself and his love for the unity of and peace in the country, but also called on all political leaders to place the overriding interest of the well-being and progress of the fatherland above all other considerations in the coming campaigns and elections, even as he asked them to rise above unedifying, unpatriotic and selfish personal interests and divisive sectional agenda.
“Let us also commit ourselves more to the sustenance of democracy and political stability which are essential prerequisites for the advancement of good governance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development.”
These thoughtful, well-articulated Presidential statements dazzled a lot of citizens who believed that the President would factor himself into it in the face of the deluge of calls on him to run.
It is on record that such calls have in the past never been in short supply, particularly on sitting leaders. Remember the deafening calls all over the country, on the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha to run for the Presidency and succeed himself in office. Bizarre as such calls looked, General Abacha was enjoying all of them and obviously preparing to honour them.
The lure of power has always made leaders to kowtow and pander to such calls, most of which are promoted and oiled by the beneficiaries or would-be beneficiaries of the sitting leaders. A few of them are even engineered by the leaders themselves.
However, if President Jonathan would match word with action, he would also listen to the tiny and seemingly unpopular voice that has been saying otherwise about his right to run in 2015. This has been the voice that has been dwarfed by the din.
This is where he would be able to make a balanced decision on November 11 when, as his declaration committee chairman, Dr. Haliru Bello said, he will speak to the nation on this matter.
Of course, it would not be a surprise if on November 11, Jonathan announces his acceptance of the calls “by the good people” of this country for him to run. On the other hand, he may come out as a living legend for a long time to come if he declines the calls, which will also, confirms his policy, in the earlier days of his government “of doing things differently.”
Anybody that wants to judge the matter with objective mind would give it to President Jonathan that he has done a lot of good and progressive things to the socio-economic and political structure of this country. However, the fact remains that if Jonathan remains in office as President for the next 20 years, there is no way he would be able to complete all such good things he has started on Nigeria. That means that there would still be the necessity for him to continue, possibly ad infinitum.
That is why we in Greenbarge Reporters believe in him and volunteer an honest, unbiased advice to him to honestly and sincerely apply this statement he made, to himself now before November 11: “in deciding on an appropriate response to such calls (on him to run for the Presidency in 2015), I will place the greater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security, political stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness above any personal ambition or sectional agenda.”
[myad]
