Person of the Year 2010

This column annually names the Nigerian who has been most central and had most significant positive impact on critical issues affecting the nation in the year under review. My shortlist for 2010 included Professor Attahiru Jega; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Mr Rauf Aregbesola; Dr Kayode Fayemi; Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Mr Olusegun Aganga; Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola; Mr Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Governor Bola Tinubu and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Jega’s appointment as INEC Chairman to replace his discredited professorial colleague, Maurice Iwu received nationwide acclaim and endorsement reflecting the hunger of most Nigerians for free, fair and credible elections and a rare occasion in which Nigerians unanimously lauded the credentials and credibility of an appointee to public office. His work lies ahead and success or otherwise may yet be tied inexplicably to the nation’s destiny. Obasanjo spoke against the Yar’adua power vacuum and argued for President Jonathan taking power in line with the constitution. He shaped the PDP “zoning” debate and in a sense 2010 was his year of political resurgence after the subtle but undisguised efforts of Yar’adua regime operatives to push him into political oblivion.

Governors Aregbesola and Fayemi took power in Osun and Ekiti states after a bruising battle. Their courage and persistence was remarkable, and their victory rhymed with the desire of many Nigerians to roll back PDP suzerainty, especially in Western Nigeria. But their victory actually belonged to their mentor, Bola Tinubu! Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi, captured popular imagination towards yearend claiming the National Assembly spent 25% of the nation’s “overheads”. Even though Lamido was technically wrong and the legislators correct (budget figures are unambiguous-National Assembly budget in 2010 was 1% of capital, 5% of recurrent and 3% of total federal spending), his position echoed widespread anger over unjustifiable emoluments legislators awarded themselves. More substantively Lamido exercised policy leadership in financial sector reform; secured the conviction of one powerful ex-bank CEO and established AMCON.

Finance Minister Olusegun Aganga, even though unfairly vilified by the media and internet bloggers was a star in 2010. Indeed while others tapped into populist acclaim, Aganga did the real work of thinking strategies for fighting unemployment, reducing spending, establishing a sovereign wealth fund and restructuring recurrent spending. He set up credible committees to review recurrent spending and unemployment; drew up a sovereign wealth fund bill, gently coaxing the Governors into some consensus, and produced a draft 2011 budget which reduced 2010 total spending by 18%. His calm, professional mien is to be applauded and not derided.

Governor Fashola remained a star amongst his gubernatorial colleagues, even though in 2010, he was severely distracted by uncertainties over his political fate. Public opinion remained strongly in favour of his second term, and he is an example of what a competent administrator should look like. Governor Rotimi Amaechi also emerged as a shining star amongst his peers. His administration’s extraordinary social sector investments-world class primary and secondary schools (over 350 primary schools and 23 secondary schools); massive road construction; and investments in health infrastructure-suggest a social democratic agenda and a leader who seeks to make an impact on the lives of ordinary people. In 2010, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu elevated the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into the mainstream party in Yoruba land, (in alliance with Labour Party’s Segun Mimiko in Ondo now controls four states to PDP’s two) and the largest opposition party in Nigeria. The ACN attracted politicians outside the West into its ranks and seems set to make a challenge for Oyo, Ogun and other states across the country.

But from the beginning to the end, 2010 was about Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan!!! We entered 2010 with late President Yar’adua ill in Saudi Arabia his narrow inner circle trying to rule by proxy; with Jonathan carefully navigating a complex and dangerous labyrinth of schemes, desperados and interests. At some point, Jonathan negotiated a compromise by which the National Assembly proclaimed him Acting President through a doctrine of necessity; then he survived a mini-coup attempt when Yar’adua was smuggled into the country and troops were deployed in the thick of the Abuja night without the Acting Commander-in-Chief’s knowledge. In all these, whether Nigerians realise it or not, Jonathan walked successfully through the valley of the shadow of death! And he did so with commendable calm, insight and maturity. Had he panicked, over-reacted or become agitated, perhaps the country’s course may have turned differently.

When Yar’adua died and Jonathan became substantive president, the issue became whether he could contest the 2011 presidency given the “zoning” and “rotation” in the PDP. People give Jonathan little credit for facing down the powerful political, regional, and security interests which sought to intimidate him out of the contest. Given the circumstances of his ascension and the forces seeking to make his government “ungovernable”, Jonathan’s overall agenda may still be a work-in-process, but his power sector road map; commitment to increase funding and reform of education; appointment of a credible INEC leadership; sovereign wealth fund initiative; aviation and infrastructure investments; personal humility and consensus building approach; and open communication with Nigerians were modest but real successes. Jonathan defined 2010 in Nigeria and is man of the year.