Jonathan and his enemies

Jonathan is surrounded by men and women who envy him and may be scheming to destroy his name, reputation, prestige and dignity. If not, why can’t they sincerely advise him to shelve his presidential ambition to some distant future? Already, there is an agreement which every noble and respected person usually fulfills his part. And […]

Jonathan is surrounded by men and women who envy him and may be scheming to destroy his name, reputation, prestige and dignity. If not, why can’t they sincerely advise him to shelve his presidential ambition to some distant future? Already, there is an agreement which every noble and respected person usually fulfills his part. And those campaigning for him have already sold him wrongly, using tribe, region and religion which led to overheating the polity. Even the sellers of Jonathan project for 2011 are people of questionable character, jesters who have failed in all previous projects they championed for the late General Sani Abacha’s life presidency and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term. Does President Jonathan have the kind of money that can satisfy their thirst for naira in championing his cause?

We already have a tradition in this country that it is not honourable for any one occupying the presidential office when his principal is dead to contest elections. General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979 could contest as the Nigerian constitution did not stop him but he decided to fulfill the promise of his principal, the late General Murtala Muhammed. General Abdulsalam Abubakar also did not contest in 1999 after General Sani Abacha died, his principal even as he can transform himself, but instead, he followed the path of honour and handed over power to Obasanjo. Was there any constitutional provision that stopped Obasanjo in 1979 and Abubakar in 1999 from contesting? Like Obasanjo in 1979, Abubakar 1999, will Jonathan 2011 who his principal also died with his party zoning the presidency to the North for 8 years honour the agreement and refuse the temptation to hold on to power ?

The scheming for 2011 has occupied President Jonathan, that if he leaves office next year, he can hardly pin-point achievements of his administration. Unemployment, insecurity, roads that are death traps, corruption, ill-equipped hospitals and poorly motivated doctors etc, are increasing by the day. Workers are not being paid their salaries and, in some cases, more than two years and yet he can spend billions on festivities and presidential jets! Like previous governments, Jonathan’s administration does not make any difference.

President Goodluck Jonathan has already exposed himself and all political calculations predict his defeat woefully at the polls come 2011 if he decides to contest. From his state of origin, Bayelsa to other parts of the country, there’s no state he can confidently boast that he can win in a free and fair election.

Shehu Mustapha Chaji, [email protected]