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Acting President: a sacred trust indeed
By Muhammad Ajah
Indeed, the most difficult period in the life of the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan has just ended partly and began again with greater challenges. If I were to
give account of the worries of this energetic ever Goodluck, I cannot hesitate to say
boldly that the most trying period for him was the 79 days President Umar Musa Yar’
Adua was away from office to receive medical attention in Saudi Arabia.
This tempting period ended on February 9th, 2010, when the Distinguished Senators
and Members of the House of Representatives unanimously gave a nod to empower the
Vice President as the Acting President. On the same day, the second phase of the
harder times commenced with the observations, promises and expectations embedded
in the text of the nationwide broadcast by the Acting President.
I read the text with the greatest interest and pinpointed some areas I dearly wish to
appeal to the Acting President to always remember so that his tenure will leave indelible
prints in the history of the nation. Nigeria needs him to perform in this trying time.
One who is conversant with Nigerian politics will not dispute the fact that it is a very hard
task and that to be able to overcome the inherent hurdles and meet up with the
challenges, some politicians are left with the options of toeing the path of morality and
its resultant failure or following suit with the politimania of do or die to succeed. The
attitude of taking rash actions or easily accepting to pressure from political friends has
cost some of our politicians great losses as their loyalty becomes questionable. But Dr.
Jonathan did not play like the tortoise, as in an Igbo adage, who was to wait for seven
days in a difficult condition to win his bride, but lost after waiting for six and half days,
with the claim that his life was at risk if he remained in the same condition for the
remaining half day.
There can be no better word to describe the responsibilities reposed on the shoulders
of the Acting President than sacred trust. For a man who has all his life or greater part
of his life been in the first list of the favoured, the blessed, the elevated and honoured
by God, Dr. Jonathan must maintain his strong belief in destiny. I can see him a strong
member of the family who repose their trust in God and who hold fervently onto the
creed that God’s Time is the Best. His ability to pass those turbulent times of the
President’s absence amidst political gimmicks and power baits has proved him to be a
sincere, loyal, responsible and patriotic Nigerian. This singular distinction postulates
that, in the eventuality that he becomes the President – God being in control and the
Knower of everything – he would display loyalty and sincerity of purpose to the
electorate, and put equality, equity, patriotism and selflessness as his watchwords.
It may be too early to explore the mankind in the Acting President. Man has remained
the same since creation. Sometimes, it is not how long one waits to get something but
what becomes of him and how he manages the thing often create circumstances.
Again, it is often said that power intoxicates. The situation here is quite unique. Dr.
Jonathan’s political profile comes to fore to explain some of the underpins in the whole
circle.
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was born about 53 years ago in Otueke in Ogbia Local
Government Area in Bayelsa State. He has acquired large chunk of experiences in
Nigerian politics from the local to the state to federal levels. He began serving the
people at his hometown in Ogbia local government, severed as the duty governor from
May 29th, 1999, then the governor of Bayelsa State between the December 9 2005 and
May 28, 2007. He was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on
May 29, 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Dr. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours in Zoology with a second
class (HONS) upper division, an M.Sc. in Hydrobiology/Fisheries biology, and a Doctor
of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. He was second,
after President Yar’Adua, to declare his asset after he took the oath of office in 2007.
With the above in view, it is clear that he is very much aware of the power play in
Nigeria, added to his attachment to divine guidance and intervention. But lest we flip
over serious issues concerning our nation, let’s x-ray some points in his nationwide
broadcast and see how the man would preside over our affairs.
First, he has acknowledged the tension the absence of President Yar’Adua created in
the country and the squabbles related issues generated. The vacuum, in no small way,
tested the faith and patience of the Nigerian people on one hand, and exposed the
overbearing intrigues, loathsome complexity and to an extent weird misdeeds in our
politics, on the other hand. No one could have fitted into the shoes of the Vice President
during the period in review than Dr. Jonathan. One cannot undermine the political
maturity he displayed during this tempting but enticing period. There were conflicts of
interests. There were political maneuverings. There were calls, betting and baiting of all
types from all segments of the society. But it seemed that while the political machinery
of the President was pressing hard to keep the office unoccupied, the political allies of
the Vice President was doing its best to make him act as the President, while he,
himself, watched both parties with utmost confidence that only time would tell. Now that it
has happened, he must practically take the call to duty as sacred and do his best.
Secondly he has acknowledged the supremacy of the Constitution which is the national
guiding document. Thus he said, “In following the extant provisions of the 1999
Constitution to arrive at this decision, the leadership and members of the National
Assembly have shown great courage, statesmanship and patriotism.” These same
courage and patriotism are highly needed to man the exalted position in the country.
This statement, if he can work effectively with its implication, is enough to make him
succeed. Said he, “Today affords us time to reconnect with ourselves and overcome
any suspicions, hurts and doubts, which had occurred. In all these, there are no winners
and no losers, because by the Grace of God, we have, once again, succeeded in
moving our country forward. We have all shown that our unity as a people, our love for
this country, and our hope for its great future cannot be shaken.”
On the critical sectors to tackle, he mentioned power, infrastructure, security,
generation of employment and business opportunities for our teeming young men and
women. These sectors are really the keys to our development. There should be proper
utilization of the billions of naira sunk into the power sector with no visible impact up till
now. Development of infrastructures should be spread across the country and rural
areas should be included. Security of lives and properties must be enhanced.
Engagement of our youths and the female folk in meaningful activities needs no second
thought.
The crisis in the Niger Delta has been a thorn on our flesh as one people. The Federal
Government has taken steps to tackle it. Therefore, consolidation of the gains of
amnesty and effective implementation of the post-amnesty programme are paramount.
It would be recalled that when he was sworn-in as the Vice to President Yar’Adua, six
months were set for him to make peace in the Niger Delta. It was really difficult probably
because he was not fully empowered. Now that the ball is in his court and the situation
in the Niger Delta can well be described as uneasy calm, he should act positive, while
putting the overall interest of the nation into consideration.
Two things to be also tackled are corruption and electoral malpractices. The two
government bodies saddled with the responsibilities to right the wrongs in this regard,
should be given full independence and patriotic Nigerians entrusted to man them. The
just conducted Anambra gubernatorial election has shown that the 2011 general
elections could be well managed.
The Acting President has begun well with the minor cabinet reshuffle. He should relieve
the incompetent ministers of the burdens they bear on the nation’s economy. But he
must be guided by the general interest of Nigerians, stick to the provisions of the
constitution and remain the Goodluck he has been for Nigeria.
Let good luck continue to follow Jonathan. Let the Acting President hear the voices of
reason, have mercy on the Nigerian people, involve the youths in his government and
ensure that Nigerians rejoice with his victories in the key sectors of the economy.
Muhammad Ajah, a writer and author, is an advocate of humanity and good governance
based in Abuja. (mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk)
By Muhammad Ajah
Indeed, the most difficult period in the life of the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan has just ended partly and began again with greater challenges. If I were to
give account of the worries of this energetic ever Goodluck, I cannot hesitate to say
boldly that the most trying period for him was the 79 days President Umar Musa Yar’
Adua was away from office to receive medical attention in Saudi Arabia.
This tempting period ended on February 9th, 2010, when the Distinguished Senators
and Members of the House of Representatives unanimously gave a nod to empower the
Vice President as the Acting President. On the same day, the second phase of the
harder times commenced with the observations, promises and expectations embedded
in the text of the nationwide broadcast by the Acting President.
I read the text with the greatest interest and pinpointed some areas I dearly wish to
appeal to the Acting President to always remember so that his tenure will leave indelible
prints in the history of the nation. Nigeria needs him to perform in this trying time.
One who is conversant with Nigerian politics will not dispute the fact that it is a very hard
task and that to be able to overcome the inherent hurdles and meet up with the
challenges, some politicians are left with the options of toeing the path of morality and
its resultant failure or following suit with the politimania of do or die to succeed. The
attitude of taking rash actions or easily accepting to pressure from political friends has
cost some of our politicians great losses as their loyalty becomes questionable. But Dr.
Jonathan did not play like the tortoise, as in an Igbo adage, who was to wait for seven
days in a difficult condition to win his bride, but lost after waiting for six and half days,
with the claim that his life was at risk if he remained in the same condition for the
remaining half day.
There can be no better word to describe the responsibilities reposed on the shoulders
of the Acting President than sacred trust. For a man who has all his life or greater part
of his life been in the first list of the favoured, the blessed, the elevated and honoured
by God, Dr. Jonathan must maintain his strong belief in destiny. I can see him a strong
member of the family who repose their trust in God and who hold fervently onto the
creed that God’s Time is the Best. His ability to pass those turbulent times of the
President’s absence amidst political gimmicks and power baits has proved him to be a
sincere, loyal, responsible and patriotic Nigerian. This singular distinction postulates
that, in the eventuality that he becomes the President – God being in control and the
Knower of everything – he would display loyalty and sincerity of purpose to the
electorate, and put equality, equity, patriotism and selflessness as his watchwords.
It may be too early to explore the mankind in the Acting President. Man has remained
the same since creation. Sometimes, it is not how long one waits to get something but
what becomes of him and how he manages the thing often create circumstances.
Again, it is often said that power intoxicates. The situation here is quite unique. Dr.
Jonathan’s political profile comes to fore to explain some of the underpins in the whole
circle.
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was born about 53 years ago in Otueke in Ogbia Local
Government Area in Bayelsa State. He has acquired large chunk of experiences in
Nigerian politics from the local to the state to federal levels. He began serving the
people at his hometown in Ogbia local government, severed as the duty governor from
May 29th, 1999, then the governor of Bayelsa State between the December 9 2005 and
May 28, 2007. He was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on
May 29, 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Dr. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours in Zoology with a second
class (HONS) upper division, an M.Sc. in Hydrobiology/Fisheries biology, and a Doctor
of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. He was second,
after President Yar’Adua, to declare his asset after he took the oath of office in 2007.
With the above in view, it is clear that he is very much aware of the power play in
Nigeria, added to his attachment to divine guidance and intervention. But lest we flip
over serious issues concerning our nation, let’s x-ray some points in his nationwide
broadcast and see how the man would preside over our affairs.
First, he has acknowledged the tension the absence of President Yar’Adua created in
the country and the squabbles related issues generated. The vacuum, in no small way,
tested the faith and patience of the Nigerian people on one hand, and exposed the
overbearing intrigues, loathsome complexity and to an extent weird misdeeds in our
politics, on the other hand. No one could have fitted into the shoes of the Vice President
during the period in review than Dr. Jonathan. One cannot undermine the political
maturity he displayed during this tempting but enticing period. There were conflicts of
interests. There were political maneuverings. There were calls, betting and baiting of all
types from all segments of the society. But it seemed that while the political machinery
of the President was pressing hard to keep the office unoccupied, the political allies of
the Vice President was doing its best to make him act as the President, while he,
himself, watched both parties with utmost confidence that only time would tell. Now that it
has happened, he must practically take the call to duty as sacred and do his best.
Secondly he has acknowledged the supremacy of the Constitution which is the national
guiding document. Thus he said, “In following the extant provisions of the 1999
Constitution to arrive at this decision, the leadership and members of the National
Assembly have shown great courage, statesmanship and patriotism.” These same
courage and patriotism are highly needed to man the exalted position in the country.
This statement, if he can work effectively with its implication, is enough to make him
succeed. Said he, “Today affords us time to reconnect with ourselves and overcome
any suspicions, hurts and doubts, which had occurred. In all these, there are no winners
and no losers, because by the Grace of God, we have, once again, succeeded in
moving our country forward. We have all shown that our unity as a people, our love for
this country, and our hope for its great future cannot be shaken.”
On the critical sectors to tackle, he mentioned power, infrastructure, security,
generation of employment and business opportunities for our teeming young men and
women. These sectors are really the keys to our development. There should be proper
utilization of the billions of naira sunk into the power sector with no visible impact up till
now. Development of infrastructures should be spread across the country and rural
areas should be included. Security of lives and properties must be enhanced.
Engagement of our youths and the female folk in meaningful activities needs no second
thought.
The crisis in the Niger Delta has been a thorn on our flesh as one people. The Federal
Government has taken steps to tackle it. Therefore, consolidation of the gains of
amnesty and effective implementation of the post-amnesty programme are paramount.
It would be recalled that when he was sworn-in as the Vice to President Yar’Adua, six
months were set for him to make peace in the Niger Delta. It was really difficult probably
because he was not fully empowered. Now that the ball is in his court and the situation
in the Niger Delta can well be described as uneasy calm, he should act positive, while
putting the overall interest of the nation into consideration.
Two things to be also tackled are corruption and electoral malpractices. The two
government bodies saddled with the responsibilities to right the wrongs in this regard,
should be given full independence and patriotic Nigerians entrusted to man them. The
just conducted Anambra gubernatorial election has shown that the 2011 general
elections could be well managed.
The Acting President has begun well with the minor cabinet reshuffle. He should relieve
the incompetent ministers of the burdens they bear on the nation’s economy. But he
must be guided by the general interest of Nigerians, stick to the provisions of the
constitution and remain the Goodluck he has been for Nigeria.
Let good luck continue to follow Jonathan. Let the Acting President hear the voices of
reason, have mercy on the Nigerian people, involve the youths in his government and
ensure that Nigerians rejoice with his victories in the key sectors of the economy.
Muhammad Ajah, a writer and author, is an advocate of humanity and good governance
based in Abuja. (mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk)