2023: Who’s afraid of Goodluck Jonathan?

BY IBRAHEEM ADAMU

As permutations for 2023 become more complex, politicians and political parties across Nigeria’s political firmament have intensified their efforts towards ensuring that they make their way into Aso Villa come 2023.

They are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to ensure that they arrive at the right choice of candidate that would appeal to an electorate that is traditionally influenced by ethnic and religious sentiments.

So far, many names have come up as possible successors of President Muhammadu Buhari. From the North to the South, presidential hopefuls have continued indicating interest across political parties and as usual they have continued to reel out proclamations on why they are the are the most suitable for the job.

In the midst of all this, one name that has continued to gather storm is that of former President Good Luck Ebele Jonathan, who has been under intense pressure emanating from several groups over the past three months to join the 2023 Presidential Race.

According to these groups pushing for the Jonathan’s return, the country needs a tested and trusted nationalist, a democrat at heart and a strong candidate who is committed to the Nigerian project. It is also widely believed that Jonathan’s goodwill across this country would give the APC a land slide victory with him on the ballot.

Though he is yet to respond to the clarion calls urging him to step forward and accept the challenge, it seems the possibility of his acceptance has unruffled feathers in oposing political clusters of interest. As the going gets tough, some political big wigs are obviously not comfortable with the Jonathan project.

In their desperation to obtain power, they have embraced every means possible to discredit each other and whoever poses as a threat to the realization of their ambition; including the unassuming Goodluck Jonathan who continues to observe silently from the sidelines.

Last week, an online media outlet published a planted story titled “Jonathan Rejects Aso Rock Cabal’s Conditions for Getting APC Automatic Ticket”. Since the story was published barely a week ago, thousands of Nigerians have expressed their misgivings over the publication and have aptly described it as a pathetic attempt to rubbish the image of Jonathan.

The “Pull Him Down Shot” against the former President is clearly an indication that there are those who are threatened and uncomfortable with the possibility of his emergence as the party’s presidential flag bearer. Unfortunately, their actions are coming a bit late and begs the question of… WHO IS AFRAID OF JONATHAN?

The poorly planted publication with no substance failed to give discerning readers a taste of what a report should be. Besides the name GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan, who is clearly the target of their cowardly act, no name was mentioned. The story, did not have the basic ingredients of when, where or who as should be fitting of an unbiased and objective write up.

Rather than provide more useful information as to when the said meeting held, where and who were in attendance, the reporter preferred to keep mum on all counts and centred his very unprofessional write up on rubbishing the image of Jonathan.

He kept using words like “cabal, extended family and friends” to give the story a semblance of truth and credibility. On the purported conditions, the reporter mumbled some quite questionable conditions the cabal is alleged to have asked of, such as his crossing over with some PDP states from the South South and South East to the APC in order to clinch the presidential ticket.

It absurd to even consider that the former President with over 40 loyal former Ministers and much more former Ambassadors, former Advisers, former Heads of Departments, Agencies/Parastatals and above all, with so much good will across the country can be given such conditions.

In the first place President Jonathan has proven himself to be a man who does not act spontaneoulsy and one who meticulously weighs his options before taking any action that affects others beyond himself.

As a true democrat, his antecedents speak volumes of his views that democracy should revolve around the will of the people and not be applied through any coercive or deceptive means.

Conclusively, those behind the ill advised publication should instead of vilifying President Jonathan, channel their energies and resources towards convincing Nigerians on why they think they are the ideal candidates to occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

If they cannot swallow their pride and allow someone who has the credentials, widespread acceptance and experience then it becomes a matter of personal interest instead of one of love of country.

President Jonathan did not ascend to his present level over-night. His track record and experiences as a Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice-President, Acting President and eventually President speak volumes of his capacity to be loyal, humane, visionary and unbiased in his endeavours.

He has proven that he is a man that can be trusted. He has proven himself to be a nationalist and a selfless leader.
In recent times, the tabloids carry sordid headlines on the future of Nigeria on a daily basis.

It has been generally agreed that Nigeria is in need of a rebirth in many dimensions. Those putting themselves forward as the leaders Nigeria needs at this crucial juncture in our history have failed to act beyond the rehotrics. To them, 2023 is just another election year.

They are therefore ready to say anything or take any action that will see them inch closer to their ultimate ambitions of holding power for the sake of power. Their claims and counter claims about what they feel Nigeria requires their leadership at this point in time are almost laughable and are indicative of the fact that they are not in tune with the realities of the moment.

The words of former President Barrack Obama of the USA comes to mind here; “we do not need strongmen, we need strong institutions”. We do not need those who lack the knowledge and skills of 21st century and politiking. We do not need those who are blind to the yearnings of Nigerians, we need that person who sees and feels the pains of the common man.

We do not need those who want to be President for the sake of it, we need a person who views his occupation of the highest office in the land as a privilege to serve.That is what the country needs, a Jonathan model.

2023 is not just another election year. It should and will mark a watershed in our nation’s history. Many shall come forward in sheeps’ clothing and with fiegned humility but what lies underneath the shroud should be a source of concern to all Nigerians. It is a God given opportunity for us to divorce ourselves from thereafter properly position our dear country for sustainable peace and progress.

Adamu is a member of Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria and wrote from Yola, Adamawa state.
He can be reached on [email protected]