Jonathan should make room now

This is a replica of the position of our past office holders. They had the opportunity to make the country a model state but rather than doing that, they created poverty in the land, made the citizenry disoriented, looted and disorganized the entire system and now they are playing saint and accusing the present regime […]

This is a replica of the position of our past office holders. They had the opportunity to make the country a model state but rather than doing that, they created poverty in the land, made the citizenry disoriented, looted and disorganized the entire system and now they are playing saint and accusing the present regime of corruption.  
Most of them have unfettered access to President Goodluck Jonathan. The recent altercation in the media between some politicians in Nigeria and Mr President calls for great caution. They should harness the opportunity of unfettered access to the President to advise him so that he can succeed. They cannot continue to raise tension to serve their own interest. That one didn’t succeed doesn’t mean that nobody should achieve that feat. This is persecution.
President Jonathan cannot go unscathed since he is mortal. Some people have chosen to use the media to persecute him.  
Persecution is indignation without justifiable cause. It is the unjust treatment of the progressive. It is the misrepresentation, castigation, and backbiting, the running down of those who are ahead. It is a weapon of self-defeated. The backward and unfulfilled justify their position by persecuting the front liners.
Nobody bothered about Isaac while he was just like the Philistines, trying to make it through harsh famine. Isaac must have even told some people that he was God’s covenant son. I can imagine them laughing at him, “Show us what you are worth, God’s covenant son indeed!”
The famine bit harder. Isaac wanted to flee. He wanted to give up but God told him to stay. He stayed and sowed, while the Philistines laughed at the crazy man who was sowing when there had been no rain and none in sight. Isaac was not moved. He pressed on. Then the rewards came. He received the hundredfold returns and the hundredfold persecution came with it as well! The Philistines were so afraid of his greatness that their king had to drive him away.
Persecution is a human factor of progress. You are not more anointed that Jesus. He received more persecution than any man alive. While He was in the carpenter’s shed, he faced no angry Pharisees (I am sure He was the darling of everyone). Then came a day, his shooting forth came and he began to preach and to heal. His success knew no bounds, but so also was the persecution that followed.  
When Nehemiah was a slave boy in exile, no one bothered about him. As soon as he rose to the top, the Sanballats and the Tobiahs rose up against him. The persecution was great, the opposition was fierce, but God was with him. He was on God’s assignment, so he prospered.

Persecution is not affliction; it is proof of promotion.  Persecution is a privilege that all successful men must enjoy. You must not allow it to deter your progress. There is nothing you can do about it. It is a normal course of life. I was asking the Lord about this one day and He said to me, “Son, you must allow those behind you to do their job. Their job is to see your back and talk about you.”
Persecutions are traps of the devil to keep you from your goal. They are meant to distract and weary you, so you may give up from pursuing your vision. Watch it. The devil is out to weary the saints of God and persecution is one of his weapons. Do not fall into the devil’s trap. Do not give in to the pressures of persecution. Set your face towards the pursuit of your goal and persecution will give up on you. The Bible says that all persecutions will bow down to you because God Himself shall prevail against them.
If Moses could persevere, if Nehemiah could press on and succeeded in their missions, then you can face persecution and win. Jesus, our chief example, persevered and came forth shinning. Follow in His stance therefore, and press on for greater attainments in the kingdom.
Know this: anyone who finds faults with front liners is automatically enlisted in the company of failures. It might not have been done publicly, but God responds to whatever a man sows in secret. Remember Miriam. She, together with Aaron, spoke against Moses behind his back. Though Moses wasn’t aware of it, God heard and rewarded Miriam openly with leprosy.

If it is God that has called you, He will always persecute your persecutors. Do not go fighting back at your backbiters. When any report comes to you, block your ears to it. Do not let the report bother you. Forgive your persecutors and bless them. God will surely intervene on your behalf promptly.
God is determined to stir up jealousy by releasing His blessings upon you. Allow Him to do it. Persecutions will come. Look forward to them with excitement. Since you know it is your heritage. As they come, endure them as part of your package of blessings”.
Therefore, it is time our leaders adopt the Mandela brand and style of leadership. It is time for our leaders to rise above selfishness, abuse of office, looting of public funds that eventually bring eternal regrets. It is also time for these corrupt political gladiators to quit politics, retire and enjoy their loots and eternal regrets and no deserved rest.

Augustine, an engineering and management consultant, wrote from Shungrila Estate<[email protected]>;