True to this statement, the average Nigerian has been
indifferent or lukewarm towards political power and
consequently, the political elites have dominated power
since independence. As the 2015 elections draw nearer, I
have studied the unfolding dynamics and permutations, my
conclusion is that all factors considered, it is in the best
interest of Nigeria to re-elect President Jonathan for
another four years. I have summarized my reasons below.
My first reason is that Nigeria has recorded remarkable
economic growth under President Jonathan. Only two
Months ago, Nigeria overtook South Africa as the
continent’s largest economy after it overhauled its gross
domestic product data for the first time in more than two
decades. According to verifiable figures for 2013, released
by Nigeria’s statistics bureau, Nigeria’s GDP hit $503bn
(£307bn) – nearly double previous estimates and well
ahead of South Africa at around $350bn.
This pushed Nigeria up 12 places to become the 24th
largest economy in the world – on par with Poland and
Belgium and ahead of Argentina, Austria and Iran. This is a
huge achievement. This development was not achieved
overnight. It was a result of the direct dynamic approach of
the President in terms of greater investment in
entrepreneurship and private sector participation.
My second reason is that President Jonathan has recorded
significant improvements in the power sector, backed up
with greater roads and infrastructural development. The
bold privatization of the defunct NEPA paved way for
improved power supply in Nigeria. Most Nigerians can
confirm that although we do not have power supply round
the clock, however there has been a commendable
improvement. There has been also greater road
rehabilitation in Nigeria like the Lagos-Benin Road, the
ongoing second Niger bridge etc. This government has also
commissioned many new schools especially in the north of
Nigeria aimed at bringing education to the door steps of the
commoners.
Thirdly this administration has pursued a robust foreign
policy since inception. Nigeria which previously lagged
behind in the comity of nations, has now assumed her
rightful position as a leader in the international community.
The recent successful hosting of the World economic
summit is a testament to this. Nigeria under President
Jonathan has been a dynamic force in Africa and beyond.
Nigeria has been leading the peacemaking initiatives in the
West African sub region, with our troops deployed in Mali,
Liberia and beyond. Nigeria’s partnerships with our
international allies like the UK, US and France have
deepened and improved under the Jonathan led
administration.
The number four reason is the need for continuity and
stability in our democracy. Having made tremendous
progress as discussed above, there is an important need
for continuity in order to sustain these achievements. We
cannot afford to start afresh all over again. What is needed
is a sustained initiative and a planned change of
government after another four years.
Another important reason Jonathan should continue is that
he is a democrat in all ramifications. Even some elements
of the opposition attest to the democratic disposition of the
President. President Jonathan’s tolerance of the opposition
is unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria. In the first
republic, the leader of the opposition Chief Obafemi
Awolowo and his supporters were harassed and
imprisoned. In the second republic, the ruling NPN allegedly
tried to intimidate and capture all States by all means
including the Ondo State Gubernatorial election “victory” of
1983 which caused an uproar in Ondo state.
But today, members of the opposition can sleep with two
eyes closed, thanks to the liberality of the President. The
President has a non violent body language which connotes
peace. Today many opponents throw personal abuses and
insults at the President without facing any consequences.
Many African leaders wouldn’t take personal insults and
abuses from the opposition or anybody for that matter. In
the recent past this would have been unthinkable. Those
critics who think the President is weak should realize that it
takes strength of character to absorb insults and abuses
without negative reactions. To his credit, there has been no
politically motivated assassinations till date. Friends and
Foes agree that Mr. President cannot “hurt” a fly.
Similarly the President has supervised fairer elections than
his predecessors. Many States today are controlled by the
opposition. In fact it is on record that opposition parties
have won more elections under President Jonathan than
under all previous dispensations put together. This can be
attributed to the democratic inclination of the President. He
has reasonably erased the do or die politics of the past.
Again, victory for Jonathan is victory for the common man.
Jonathan can be said to be the first Commoner from a
humble beginning to emerge President. The political elites
have dominated politics in Nigeria from time immemorial. It
doesn’t matter if they are from the North or South,
Christians or Muslims. The elites had always been in power
in Nigeria. Jonathan emergence was an act of God which
no mortal envisaged. Therefore ordinary and working class
Nigerians must ensure that the elites do not bully Jonathan
out of office. At the moment the elites have united with the
sole purpose of recapturing power for themselves and their
descendants. They are using sensitive issues like
insurgency and insecurity to blackmail the President.
Nigerians should not be fooled by the antics of these
desperate folks. No single godfather owns Nigeria. Nigeria
belongs to us all. Therefore we are all equal stakeholders
and therefore the will of the majority must prevail.
Similar to the above is the seventh reason. Jonathan is the
first minority to be elected President.
Therefore Jonathan
represents hope for the down trodden and minorities in
Nigeria. From independence the major ethnic groups
dominated politics in Nigeria. It was unimaginable then to
have a minority as President. Today we have a minority as
President on a platter of gold. Added to this is that the
South-South region where Jonathan comes from accounts
for over 90% of the resources Nigeria has been using to run
for over four decades now. Strangely Jonathan is the first
President from this region. It would be a good idea to allow
Jonathan govern Nigeria with our support. Jonathan can do
better with our support and cooperation. Those opposed to
his ambition based on the so called unwritten agreement
should realize that Nigeria and her Constitution are greater
than any parochial arrangement.
Moreover another four years of Jonathan would mark the
beginning of the end of the era of godfatherism in Nigerian
politics. The so called godfathers in our national political
life have held Nigeria to ransom, without rhyme or reason.
They place unrealistic and unreasonable demands on the
incumbents. The first battle Jonathan fought was to liberate
himself from his so called godfather which he has
successfully and bravely done. The next four years would
give the President the opportunity to level all inequalities
and provide a level playing field for all Nigerians, to enable
eligible candidates contest and win elections without
depending on godfathers.
The ninth reason we should re-elect President is because of
the lack of a credible opposition. Opposition in Nigeria has
weakened due to the absence of a defined ideology. We
have seen members of the opposition jump from party to
party without any ideological framework. The only constant
feature is the lust for power. As a result we do not have a
formidable opposition that can make a difference politically.
The recent merger of several political parties to form the All
Progressive Congress (APC) was received warmly with
great expectations. At last the vibrant opposition has
arrived! So we thought! How wrong we were! Most
Nigerians expected a strong opposition that would mobilize
Nigerians behind them. We expected an opposition devoid
of pettiness and cheap blackmail. We expected an
opposition that would be defined by principles and ideals.
We expected an opposition that would present a clear cut,
well defined, and practicable alternative to the present. We
expected a credible opposition based on principles. To say
the APC dashed our hopes is an understatement. APC
missed the opportunity to stand out as the new national
umbrella. All we hear is ” Give us Power”. But what are you
going to do differently? What are your plans? Nigerians
need to know what agenda you have before they give you
power.
The PDP has been in power since 1999. As expected some
Nigerians have some reservations on the performance of
PDP. This is not unexpected considering the fact that the
Party has been in power for fifteen years now. But the
pertinent question is, what will APC do differently? APC has
refused to tell Nigerians what they have in stock for us.
Instead they are over driven by the lust for power without a
defined agenda. Mere criticizing the incumbent without
proffering solutions is grossly inadequate. What Nigerians
are waiting to hear is the action plan of APC. Does any
Nigerian know how the opposition would tackle this
insurgency? Does anyone know their plans to create jobs?
Does anyone know their plans to fight corruption? What
about Education, Power, Healthcare? The list is endless. If
the opposition wants to be taken seriously by Nigerians,
first it needs to go back to the drawing board and define the
agenda. Then communicate the agenda to Nigerians and
allow Nigerians to decide who governs them in a free and
fair election. At the moment the present opposition style of
chasing shadows leaving the substance behind has played
to the advantage of the incumbent.
It is either the opposition steps up the game by addressing
issues, not personalities, or forget the 2015 Elections. As
long as the opposition continues to chase shadows, the
incumbent would have an easy ride come 2015.
Finally Nigeria should re-elect President Jonathan because
of the present circumstances of security challenges, which
the President is working hard to contain and defeat. Put
differently, the country is in a state of war with terrorists,
and we cannot change the Commander-in-Chief in the
middle of the war. In fact it would be morally wrong for Mr.
Jonathan to abandon ship halfway down the sail without
achieving total victory against the terrorists. We should
therefore rally round the President in solidarity and defeat
the terrorists. The prevailing opinion in Nigeria and the
Diaspora is that President Jonathan should hang on and
fight these insurgents to the very end. Let us therefore
renew his mandate on the 14th of February, 2015.
God bless Nigeria.
Source: Edozie Okeiyi - A Director of Media and Strategy Great Nigeria Movement.
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