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PAV EDITORIAL Vol. 29 April 2010
Goodluck Time For Nigeria? Jonathan and The Call Of History
With a population estimate of over 150 million people, The Federal Republic of Nigeria earns the bragging rights as the giant of Africa. It has produced some of the legends that make up a continent from Zik, Awolowo and Tafawa Balewa in politics, to writers of Shakespearean breed like the legendary Chinua Achebe and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka; it has countless intellectuals of global repute, a huge population, and is endowed with resources that are the envy of many countries around the world.
It is also a country whose citizenry around the world has been tainted by some unscrupulous ones through dubious antics and scams dubbed 419.It was renowned for frequent military coups, and today repeated senseless killings on religious grounds notably in Jos, have continued to batter the image of the country.. In the wake of 50 years of independence, the giant is still basking in slumber and the result? The bulk of the population wallows in poverty in the midst of plenty, and the continent looks up in eager expectation for the giant to effectively show the kind of leadership that matches 21st century challenges.
And who takes the blame for the prevailing situation? Years of deficient leadership with a selfish and very corrupt political elite which holds the country and its resources hostage will synopsize the response from most Nigerians. One man however has the potential to turn things around today: Vice President and now Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. What is in a name? Well his is one of those names pregnant with meaning when a look is taken at his rise to the seat of power in Nigeria today. A former Deputy Governor of the oil rich State of Bayelsa little was heard of Mr Goodluck Jonathan until his boss Governor Alamiesegha serving his second and last term was embroiled under embarrassing circumstances in corruption scandals. Throughout the theatrical ordeal of Governor Alamiesegha Deputy Governor Goodluck Jonathan avoided the limelight nor did he do anything over zealous to assume the Governorship in place of his embattled boss. The eventual imprisonment of the Governor paved the way for Mr Jonathan to assume power in his State.
As the second and last term of President Obasanjo ebbed away, there was a ferocious fight amongst potential successors. To the surprise of many, Obasanjo settled on Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and a bigger surprise was the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as running mate. As Vice President under Yar’Adua, Jonathan kept a very low profile until earlier this year mother luck smiled at him again. The power vacuum created by the absence of President Yar’Adua became untenable, heating the polity to breaking point. Court cases, protest marches and pressure from the formidable Nigerian civil society, a volatile outing by former President Obasanjo calling on his successor to step aside if his health is failing him, a call from a delegation of past Presidents for the leadership vacuum to be filled and concern from the international community, facilitated the decision of the Legislature to declare him acting President. Without directly running for Office Mr Jonathan had risen from Deputy Governor to Governor and from Vice President to President.
Call it coincidence, call it luck, call it chance, call it divine providence but whatever it is, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has the possibility of profoundly restructuring his country. The last may not have been heard of President Yar’Adua who was surreptitiously brought back to the country about a month ago and at the time of this piece is yet to be seen in public or even in private by the Acting President and other political leaders. Acting President Jonathan seems poised to lead the country through the last year of the Yar’Adua mandate.
He maybe lacking in the flamboyance of Babaginda or the self serving Machiavellian intrigues of Obasanjo but his simplicity ,integrity , image of always thrust into the forefront of service in time of need as well as the good will of Nigerians are all factors that militate in his favour. How can he rise up to the challenges of this historic call? Been more aggressive in the fight against corruption with tangible results which punish looters of public funds while serving as a deterrent to others. By ensuring that Nigerians are able to enjoy free and fair elections, effectively pursuing the amnesty program with the Niger Delta Militants etc.
At his age the temptation may be strong for Acting President Jonathan to seek a full term when he serves out this last year. His place in history will be cemented if he carries out broad reforms which put Nigeria on the path to glory with firm standard of governance, better respect for the country, better working of institutions etc. When leaders like Ghaddafi begin to call for the partition of Nigeria into several countries or the splitting up of the country along religious Christian and Muslims lines, it may sound callous but reflects the seriousness of challenges facing Nigeria.
With a new cabinet with lots of fresh faces, with reports of directions issued to the corruption watchdog in the country to intensify and speed up its work, with electoral reforms based on the Uwais report back on the table, reawakening of ties between the USA and Nigeria following the chill resulting from Nigeria’s inclusion on the terrorist watch list of the USA after the abortion of plans by a Nigerian to blow up a plane on American soil in December are all signs in the right direction. To cap this all there are yet to be confirmed reports of a meeting with President Obama in the days ahead as we go to press.
The primacy of institutions over personalities is lesson not only in this Nigerian example but for the rest of Africa as well. It is sad that after fifty years of independence, people will rather see a country held hostage than encourage a sick leader to take the high road by taking sick leave while allowing someone else to steer the ship of state. Acting President Jonathan has acted with great caution thus far and has even included a member of the Yar’Adua family in the new government. To some a year maybe too short to do much but it is sufficient time for Jonathan to set efficient basis for worthy standards by which future leaders will be judged especially by placing country first before self. By committing himself to just a year in office Jonathan will not have a divided attention nor will he be a pleaser of political cronies or care whose ox is gored as he puts the country back on the rails.It may be about Nigeria but what goes on in Nigeria has repercussions on the rest of the continent. By doing justice to this historical call Acting President Jonathan will be setting a worthy example for the rest of Africa as well and sincere wishes of Goodluck from PAV
The Corporate Council on Africa continues with its mission to sell the merits of business in Africa to American Companies, Nalungwe Lukando settles in as the new MNET Face of Africa, Africa’s leading IT Guru Jacques Bonjawo advises Africa on what it takes to emulate the Asian Tigers, Ethiopian project set standards for climate change project, a sad end to the life of South African Right Wing politician Eugene Terreblanche……. These and more constitute the menu for the April edition of PAV. Happy Easter and Happy Reading!!!!!
