Every conversation in Nigeria now involves some exposition into President Jonathan’s good luck and his wife Dame Jonathan’s patience. Jokes and wise cracks are incomplete without announcing a change of name to “Goodluck” and their wives’ to “Patience”. Truly Jonathan’s rise to Nigeria’s Presidency should confirm to us all that it is “not by might, nor by power…”, that “…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong….”, and that “…promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south…” Clearly it is difficult to discount the place of fate, destiny and divine purpose in President Jonathan ascension to Nigeria’s presidency. So now the question the President must ask is, “why have I been transported to this position in our national life?”
Is it just so that he can bear the title “President”? Is it so that he can go down in history as one of those who have ruled Nigeria? Is it merely so that like Babangida, Shonekan, Buhari and Gowon (and Abacha if he was alive!), he can become a member of the Council of States created by the Constitution? Is it just so that the Ijaws, and perhaps the entire Niger-Delta can feel the joy of having their “son” listed as a president of Nigeria? Is it so he can have access to the huge resources of the Nigerian state and so control its distribution and allocation? Is it so that Nigeria can continue to “move forward” as the irritating cliché goes in continuous motion without movement? Is it so that he can become richer or have a bigger wardrobe, or own more houses in Nigeria or abroad? Is it so that he and his fellow members of the PDP can become more powerful so they can capture more of the states of Nigeria? Did God make Jonathan president so that the Governors’ Cartel can get more influential? Or so that Danjuma, Obasanjo, Aliyu Gusau or other power brokers can exercise greater power? Or so that Edwin Clark, Graham-Douglas, Alamieyeseigha or other Ijaw elders can have their “brother” in Aso Rock? Did God embark on the intricate scheme of piloting Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the presidency so that Nigeria can remain the same?
There might be an alternate possibility. Perhaps President Jonathan can make sure that more Nigerian children go to school in 2011 than in 2009 or 2010? Perhaps he can try to ensure that whatever the number, the quality of education they get is better or that there are a few more computers, books and broadband internet coverage in primary and secondary schools? Perhaps he can ensure that while he is president, no Nigerian university is shut down as a result of ASUU, NASU or any other strike? May be he can work to reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria? Or can he increase job training and skills acquisition, including in his Niger-Delta region. May be the reason he has become president is to end Nigeria’s debilitating power shortage or to design a strategy for sustainable petroleum products supply and distribution in Nigeria? Can he reduce corruption and abuse of office? Or deepen our democracy through greater openness, transparency and free and fair elections. Can he ensure passage of a Freedom of Information Act? Is the purpose of Jonathan’s Presidency to transform Nigeria?
After the initial signs of a new order in Abuja, we are swiftly returning to business as usual! The President has already in choosing his cabinet and Vice-President returned to the “normal” approach-consult a few godfathers and governors; look for people who desperately lobby for the job, or who pretend not to be interested while actively begging through agents; desirable candidates must not threaten any interests, a system I have come to characterise as “obscurity strategy”-the more obscure, unknown or colourless you are, the greater your chances of public office! The process is often about negotiating with chieftains and cabals and not about the public interest. It is better to be under-qualified than over-qualified. Next the President will begin to visit the states to commission projects and lay foundation stones for new ones. Then he will be invited to other African countries-Ghana, Benin, Senegal, Egypt, Libya, South Africa…before the obligatory visits to Europe, America and Asia. Before you know it, his tenure will be up, and the status quo will have been preserved. Is this why God has endowed President Jonathan with so much good luck? So he can conduct official visits, cut the tape to declare events and structures open and deliver speeches?
I don’t think so! When leaders are given rare opportunities, they must leverage them in furtherance of a higher purpose-ruling with justice and equity; bringing development and progress; life more abundant for the people; education, health and care to the poor; peace, security and prosperity to all; bringing light etc. If the president delivers on such ideals, I suspect he will be established-beyond 2010, 2011, 2012! I think President Jonathan should now step back and ask what he will do with the power that has been entrusted to him. Good luck has brought him thus far. Now it is time for good governance!
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