HIV politics

Religion has no place in election campaigns. Jonathan and his supporters’ constant references to being anointed by “God” are tiresome and unhelpful in the current political climate. Oscillating between all denominations of Christian Churches, kneeling before various “anointed men of God”, and habitually addressing the nation from the pulpit, he seems oblivious to the paradox […]

Religion has no place in election campaigns. Jonathan and his supporters’ constant references to being anointed by “God” are tiresome and unhelpful in the current political climate. Oscillating between all denominations of Christian Churches, kneeling before various “anointed men of God”, and habitually addressing the nation from the pulpit, he seems oblivious to the paradox between his sermonizing and his actions.
Pardoning Diepreye Alamieseigha and Mohammed Abacha; sacking Sanusi  Lamido Sanusi; ignoring the Chibok girls, and failing to probe the serious allegations regarding the ministerial tenure of Diezani Alison-Madueke or locate the missing $20 billion oil money can hardly be described as “Godly” acts. Our President’s much touted Christian ethics and morality have proven time and again to be flexible and selective, bordering on hypocritical.
Maintaining the company of a self-confessed “reformed” social deviant who is currently President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has apparently brought about delusions of piety and divine ordination. The affairs of men are different from the affairs of God, and history teaches us that leaders who believe they are on some sort of “divine mission” never bode well for their people. The declaration speech contained a pledge to ensure a level playing field promising that anyone who writes or says anything detrimental to the re-election campaign won’t be persecuted. This is all well and good, because as a candidate his merits and faults must be examined in detail. Having successfully silenced contrary opinion within his party, it would be indecent to try and silence opposing views outside. In all of us there’s the child who saw clearly that the Emperor was naked, and we must not lose that courage of childish innocence that dares to say so. Truthfully in six years Jonathan’s administration hasn’t made any appreciable impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
 The poor state of affairs in general and insecurity in particular are well documented, and the real question is; other than naked ambition why would anyone want to come back to power when even by their own self-set parameters they have failed? Ironically his new manifesto is a pledge to do in four years all he has failed to do in six! The declaration itself was a carefully choreographed affair full of boisterous chest beating and self-congratulation. It was all so deceptive and flattering, but at the end of the day flattery only deceives those who want to be deceived.
One after another, speakers bombarded the crowd with false claims and speeches proclaiming our President’s superhuman virtues whereas in truth the real hallmark of his administration has been acts of financial sabotage and massive corruption.  His personal disdain for democracy or contrary opinion is evidenced by the manoeuvring to ensure that all other qualified members of his Party interested in the post of President were denied the opportunity to contest.  Increasingly he appears out of touch with the realities on ground and his administration is characterized by too much politics and not enough governance.
Their attitude towards the high level of insecurity is difficult to fathom. It’s been all talk and no action, a failure to realize that truly caring or feeling concerned about citizens’ welfare means being pro-active and taking action to prevent things happening, not reacting belatedly when tragedies occur.
Celebrating the phantom ceasefire was inexplicable. In effect it meant our President confessed that because he can no longer guarantee our security, if people break into our houses, maim and kill our sons, then abduct and rape our daughters, instead of arresting or eliminating them, his government will negotiate! How could matters ever get to this abysmal level? How did we sit back and allow ourselves to sink slowly yet surely into this mire of mediocrity in leadership? Nigerians deserve much more next time round and must reject the poor services and low standard of living we are asked to put up with while our leaders live in the lap of secured luxury. All fair and just people believe in giving a second chance it’s just that not everyone deserves one. If our President is re-elected it certainly won’t be due to good performance, or the fact that his actions matched his words. No one should be in any doubt that he has at least five good reasons to expect success at the polls.
Firstly, poor performance has never prevented an incumbent Nigerian President from being re-elected. Secondly, the Independent National Electoral Commission is being handicapped in registering voters in opposition areas. Thirdly, the Security Agencies have illustrated clearly that they are in the political camp of the ruling party. Fourthly, despite the proximity of elections, the main opposition candidate is yet to emerge.  Lastly no matter how flawed the electoral process, the Supreme Court can be relied upon to uphold a PDP victory as usual.
The incoming President must be careful with our future. He must remember that whenever his time is over its better that people insist there should be a monument to him, rather than insist that there shouldn’t be. Nigerians should take solace in the fact that although hypocrisy and irony and victory (HIV) politics may lead to genuine victory this time round, in everything there must always be an end.