President Jonathan on the move

Even though he has been to a number of states, it was in Plateau that Mr President was carried away by the salutary gubernatorial imprints of Governor David Jonah Jang. Of course, some people, not enamoured of Jang’s style, expected a presidential indictment of the Jang stewardship. But what happened was a David-Jonathan bonding that […]

Even though he has been to a number of states, it was in Plateau that Mr President was carried away by the salutary gubernatorial imprints of Governor David Jonah Jang. Of course, some people, not enamoured of Jang’s style, expected a presidential indictment of the Jang stewardship. But what happened was a David-Jonathan bonding that culminated into a reverberating presidential endorsement that still echoes on the Plateau even now.

But since politicians are fluid, it is sometimes difficult to know whether or not they mean what they say. So, it is important to say the David-Jonathan chemistry not orchestrated, but flowed from what the president came, saw and heard.

When a president visits a state, he expects to see crowds of people. And the host-governors/communities do everything to ensure that the august visitor gets a rousing reception in terms of mammoth crowds.

On this presidential visit, neither the president nor his host, Jang was disappointed. So, it was a win-win situation for the duo.

And, in another sense, it also meant that the governor’s addiction to development-politics has endeared him to the long-suffering people of the state who have for long yearned for good and visionary governance or, at least a return to the golden days of Plateau when Solomon Lar riveted national attention with his action-packed governorship.

From the airport to Jos metropolis and roundabout, the president was greeted with enthusiastic throngs of smiling, waving and cheering crowds.

Before the president came here, Jang had reportedly asked for a three-day visit. The president, surprised, had asked him what he (Jonathan) would be doing in Plateau for three days when even in the Niger Delta states, which receive so much allocation, he was not spending so much time.

Jang reportedly told him:  “Sir, I do not know about those states, but even a month will not be enough for you to commission all the projects here. Our people have suffered for long, and we are in a hurry to catch up with the rest of Nigeria, and possibly restore Plateau to its lost glory.” And while in Plateau, the governor did not disappoint the president.

Projects do not speak, but appreciative people do. So, from traditional rulers to council chairmen, to leaders of thought, including one of Nigeria’s finest elder statesmen, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, it was a word or two of commendation for Jang’s salutary stewardship.

So, at the next function, edged on, even if inadvertently, by Jang’s redemptive work or his popular acceptance, Mr. President declared: “From what I have seen and heard so far, you are an accomplished and acceptable leader in this state. So as was the case in the Bible, Jonathan and David will continue to be friends.”

Joseph Chindo, Jos