NIGERIA’s immediate ex-President,
Goodluck Jonathan recently, gathered the crème la crème of the society; within
and beyond the shores of the nation for the launch of his book, ‘My Transition
Hours’. Personalities including President Muhammadu Buhari answered roll calls either
in person or represented.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo alongside
his Ghanaian, Benin Republic and Sierra Leone counterparts; John Mahama, Boni
Yayi and Ernest Bai Koroma respectively personally graced the occasion as well as former
heads of state, Generals Abdulsalami Abubakar and Yakubu Gowon. Buhari was
however, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
(SGF), Mr. Mustapha Boss. As the event took place during campaign era, it was
more or less a political gathering strategically set to score political points.
Major political parties were ably represented by party chieftains.
The event was climaxed by overwhelming
tributes on Jonathan, shockingly by the same group of dramatis personae that vehemently
joined forces to kick him out from Aso Rock unprecedentedly. Jonathan was indeed
tremendously decorated with indescribable words one speaker after another. People
were shocked that the same dude that was tagged a millstone during 2015
election suddenly metamorphosed to an asset which pointed to lack of political
ideologies in the system. Someone had
jokingly asked, “is this the same Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan or a cloned one; maybe
another strongman from Sudan”? Probably, on account of the perceived cloning
that is trending in the society. Unfortunately, the delusion exposed and
reduced the originators alongside news peddlers to gross naivety and
awkwardness to assume that an adult could be cloned. What a sarcastic innuendo!
Now, on the new book, Jonathan vehemently
missed a golden opportunity to put down his one or two experiences while in
office that could resourcefully add value in governance to those in government and
future leaders as some other national ex-leaders from other clans would do. A
critical look in the book showed that in substance, it was patterned after
Obasanjo’s “My Watch”; thus a catalogue of flimsy excuses, fallacies and ad
hominem. From apportioning blames to the former US president, Barack Obama over
defeat at the 2015 polls to why he conceded defeat and consequently handed over
as if the presidency is anyone’s birthright. Funnily, Obama wouldn’t have possibly
influenced Nigeria’s election from Whitehouse.
From there, it proceeded to why the
2014 confab report wasn’t implemented until handover claiming unwholesome
relationship between the executive and legislature. Then, to why he failed to
act idyllically on Chibok saga, Boko Haram insurgencies and others. The simple truth
is that Nigerians were fed up with PDP governments at the centre, and
consequently voted against it; period. The confab from its conception was a kangaroo;
politically-motivated merely as a tool for Jonathan’s reelection campaign as
such duty is a legislative function. No doubt, it advantageously presented an
opportunity to rub minds on some fundamental issues. Ideally, Jonathan would
have in the book enlightened the present administration on his calculated means
to implement the outputs.
However, Jonathan reasonably deserved
fair judgment bearing in mind he never aspired to lead the nation until the sudden
demise of his boss, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Ditto on his inauguration as Bayelsa
state governor following his then boss, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha’s travails
during Obasanjo’s administration. In other words, Jonathan mounted the podiums
as governor and president by providence having been cajoled with assurances of
backup-supports by Obasanjo as his puppet. Unfortunately, Jonathan later retreated
and took charge. Thus, most people in his shoes may similarly have poor results
due to unpreparedness, absence of ambition and ideas before coming to power. To
make it worse, as his predecessors laid no foundation except to squander
national treasury, Jonathan’s government followed suit.
Nonetheless, the book highlighted Obasanjo’s
overbearing attitudes which parted the duo after some mafias incidentally hijacked
the party. Unbearably, Obasanjo tore his PDP’s membership card. Deductively, it
was obvious that Jonathan helplessly, merely buried PDP after Obasanjo unconsciously
or tactically killed the party by civilian maladministration, colossal
corruption and autocratic tendencies. Corruption reigned in the country during
the administration and as the commando at that time, most people in Jonathan’s administration
both in the legislature and executive were inherited, selected from Obasanjo’s gangs.
Hence, the trend triumphed until Buhari’s wind of change fiercely blew PDP away
from power in 2015. Obviously, neither of the books practically showed tips or systematic
actions deployed to improve any sector of the government which is paramount.
In Obasanjo’s book for instance, the
ex-President sumptuously ridiculed his vice, Atiku Abubakar with allegations of
colossal corrupt practices albeit refused to clearly give clues on the illicit
transactions for investigations. Possibly, doing so may open can of worms that
will indict him too as Atiku being his subordinate then wouldn’t have successfully
concluded any illicit deals without principal’s complicity and approval.
As for Jonathan’s prowess for
conceding defeat when it was apparent, politics is a game of numbers. The
electoral umpire as the referee having adopted card-readers wouldn’t have openly
manipulated the results when the main opposition was determined to wrestle
power. Again, if irregularities existed in an election but not challenged, it
is not a worthy virtue for celebration. The system grows when citizens determinedly,
collectively stand like watchmen against irregularities and injustices. From
there, the legal system is strengthened alongside social justice. An Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of
the United States of America, Thurgood Marshall remarkably said, “Where you see
wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This
is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on”.
Premised on that, I conclude with a quote
by Martin Luther King Jr, “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that
which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies
when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true”.
Umegboro
is a public affairs analyst and Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
(United-Kingdom). 07057101974-SMS-only.
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