Nigeria is the most
populated black nation in the world, which is not disputed. Nigeria is the
economy leader of the black continent, so says the economist. Nigeria has over
three hundred ethnic groups; it has proven to be fact, so, not news again.
Nigeria has three ‘major’ ethnic groups which dwarfs the over three hundred
‘minority ethnics’, that is one of the political turmoil in the country. Many
‘minority ethnics’ are still blaming the amalgamation of 1914. Some in the
‘majority groups’ have classified it as a ‘mistake’; it is getting bored
hearing that. What has become intrigued is the love lost between the incumbent
President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the citizens of this nation. President
Jonathan assumed power after the death of the erstwhile president, Umar Yar’Adua.
The event leading to GEJ’s emergence as the number one citizen of this nation
can be classified as the manipulation of the greatest manipulator, nature.
Yet, the man
Jonathan assumed full presidency on the back of one of the freest presidential
election in the history of this country. People were emotional towards him during
the election after all he suffered in the hands of some cabals during the
indisposition of his former boss, Yar’Adua. He captivated all with his
‘shoeless’ story, which in all honesty, can serve as a motivational push to any
studious person, anytime, any day. Almost four years after the romance, the
opinion poll will clearly show that a significant portion of the nation which
showed sympathy towards him is not impressed by his governance, or perhaps, his
style of leadership.
The amazing aspect is some terms people use to portray the
president’s character. It is a common slogan to hear he is weak, slow,
incapable, etc. but I don’t believe some of these remarks are true about the
president, not at all. As a human, he has his flaws, some are unnecessary while
others may be as a result of the pressure he feels from the opposition.
Can there be
respite for the president? I guess no, not this time of hostility and terrorism
by an Islamist terrorist group called Boko Haram. Boko Haramites have wrecked
more havoc only second to the civil war we had at the earlier stage our
nationhood. The way the president has been handling all these burning national
issues have been a source of worry, not only to the citizens but the world at
large. The current global outrage at the kidnapping of almost 300 secondary
school girls at Chibok, Borno State, and the failure of the Grand Commander of
the Federal Republic to tackle the insurgents’ audacity has buttressed the
notion that GEJ is clueless, indeed. Just two days ago, a former presidential
candidate of Republican Party in US, Senator John McCain made uncharitable
comment about the Nigerian leader, stressing that he wouldn’t have got any
permission from Jonathan to rescue the girls with American troop on Nigerian
soil. That would be an infringement on our sovereignty and it would have been
another American occupation that can leave a devastating effect as it is obvious
in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries where American and her allies have
invaded in recent times.
It is not
surprising that a large proportion of the population does not have any pity for
GEJ and most people even reason along with the American Senator. This calls for
critical examination. How did the once blossom romance turn sour between the
president and his citizens? Is it not another story of human failure? Are
Nigerians lacking respect for their leaders? This is a pure leadership failure,
it has been our bane for a very long time but never this bad. A part of the
country has held power for a large part of our existence as independent nation
and though, they are still clamoring for the return of their lost gem, the
present holder, which is from one of the minorities, has not given us reason to
shun their aspiration to lord it over the rest of us. The north has proven to
be domineering due their oligarchy inclination, the South West showed they are
liberal, care not about who is charge as long he is steering us towards the
right direction. The South East has been practically fizzled out due to the
‘better to be forgotten’ civil war, while the South-South where the president
hails from has shown nothing but selfishness, greediness and non-challant
attitude to other region. Apart from the North which is greedy with power, no
other region is as boastful and loquacious as the Niger-Deltans. They have been
drumming the beat of war if their son does not win the next election; the wife
of the president is unarguably the worst first lady this nation has ever
produced. Instead of putting up constructive argument for the continuity of GEJ
in Aso Rock, they constantly premise the argument on the indisputable fact that
their region produces the crux of this nation’s revenue, so, they deservedly
deserve to rule Nigeria until they are done with the nation’s resources.
Friendship isn’t built on selfishness, partnership is premised on trust. These
are lacking in the current permutation called Federal Republic of Nigeria. The
case has been made worse by a leader who seems to be overwhelmed by the tasks
his luck has bestowed on him. The once blossomed love has evaporated and the
citizens are only patient for the next election to get rid of this presidency.
How the Niger Deltans will achieve their dream of second term is unclear but
what is clear is that, if sentiment is removed, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may be
twice lucky even among his people. In whom can we trust now? 2015 general
election will be a show indeed.
