Buhari, Jonathan: What Nigerians will get

And contrary to predictions of a doomsday scenario, the serial drama that is usually associated with general elections will take its course and roll away, leaving the nation intact, only with novel experiences and a new mingling of fresh actors with remnants of the old order, to continue the power show. No matter what, Nigeria […]

And contrary to predictions of a doomsday scenario, the serial drama that is usually associated with general elections will take its course and roll away, leaving the nation intact, only with novel experiences and a new mingling of fresh actors with remnants of the old order, to continue the power show. No matter what, Nigeria ‘go survive’!
In the same vein of expectations, the emergence of firstly, incumbent Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and General Muhamadu Buhari as the flag bearer of the main opposition party – the All Progressives Congress (APC), has set the stage for a ‘battle royale’ with respect to the presidential elections.
As it is, the days of a super party facing a cluster of small parties in a general elections seem to be over. For the first time in the history of electoral politics in Nigeria, the stage shall feature a ruling mega party squaring up with a consolidated opposition dispensation, which features a merger of four legacy opposition parties namely the Action Congress (AC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The remaining parties are left to serve as the also-rans in the game.
Ordinarily, the PDP will be expected to ‘deliver’ a hundred per cent of votes in its traditional strongholds and strive to claim more from the territories of the other parties, in order to extend its already extant lead. This is just as the APC faces the task of not only retaining its share of the votes which comprise the traditional bases of the legacy parties, but fulfil the  primary purpose of its formation; being the dismantling of the PDP machinery, in its aspiration to electoral victory. What provides the icing to the drama is the series of defections over the last four years by key political gladiators, and the attendant shift in loyalties by their followers. The impact of such tendencies cannot be over emphasized. Of note in this regard are states like Rivers, Sokoto, Imo, and Ondo, to name a few.
Not surprisingly, the traditional effervescence that drives electoral considerations in this country always swings more towards winning power solely for its sake, than the commitment to change the Nigerian story for the better. It is only during elections when the capture of votes is the name of the game,  that the peoples’ interest seem to return to the contemplations of politicians. That is why with the imminence of the forthcoming elections, there is a palpable concern in opinion circles that beyond the cascade of rhetorics, how much of national interest is driving the process?
In the novelty which accentuates the circumstances of the forthcoming elections, appraising the prospects of which camp if elected, is likely to provide the regime of good governance, which Nigerians have been yearning for, is revealing. Succinctly put, which of the camps between Buhari’s  and Jonathan’s, offers a better promise of moving the country forward, is a topic that every Nigerian should express interest in. Since both had served the country at the top leadership level, Nigerians can address the question in the context of lessons gleaned from their tenures.
Buhari’s tenure as Head of State was at the instance of a military coup on December 31st 1983, when with the collaboration of his fellow military putschists, he shot himself into power. His tenure witnessed a season of some of the most draconian measures Nigerians had ever been subjected to. Overnight, General Buhari and his Chief of General Staff late General Tunde Idiagbon turned the whole country into one huge military garrison  with scant regard for the sensitivities of their compatriots. For those Nigerians who may have been disappointed by the preceding civilian administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the theatrics introduced by Buhari’s government caught their fancy, leading to a shower of plaudits for him and his co-travellers on the power train.
Many of such Nigerians easily cite as part of the achievements of the Buhari junta the much vaunted War On Indiscipline (WAI), which featured the enforcement of queue culture at public places such as bus stops, banks and other locations where ordinary citizens obtained service. Another was the mass arrest, arraignment and conviction of members of the political class; often on charges and by court processes that would not stand in regular circumstances. Can it be easily forgotten that in the excesses of the Buhari junta, journalists were jailed for doing their work?
Meanwhile, the WAI and other ‘shine shine’ initiatives eventually proved to be mere salutary acts of appeasement for the general public, in the face of inexcusable tolerance of, and even connivance by the regime with their anointed untouchables, who indulged openly in corrupt practices, Did the Irish George Orwell’s think of Buhari in the classic book, the Animal Farm, where all animals were supposedly “equal but some more equal”. By the time Buhari was overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1983, not a few Nigerians and foreigners alike, heaved a sigh of relief.
 Seen in context, Buhari’s democratic credentials peter out only as his redoubtable, gap-toothed smile, which is supposed to drive his hollow promises to transform from a despot to a democrat, if given another chance of the helm of affairs. He and his handlers need to convince Nigerians to the contrary that even after the leopard changes its spots, Buhari would not have transformed into a trust worthy democrat.
As for incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, his democratic credentials during his first term have been a subject of intense public discourse. A second term for him will only build on the lessons from the first. And given the cluster of irreversible reforms credited to him, Nigerians have a partner to work with.
Rising from relatively obscure political antecedents, he has been mentored in the crucible of public service at various stages and is today at the helm of affairs in the country, only by riding on the crest of society’s approval of performance at work. Like him, or hate him, Nigerians have found in Jonathan a man they can agree with, disagree with, abuse, criticize, challenge, ridicule and even rain curses on, without dire consequences. What is democracy without a leader the people cannot trust?
Goodluck Jonathan may not be the best in the judgement of some Nigerians. But even before his second term, posterity has secured a place for him in the pantheon of icons of modern Nigeria.