Neither Pharaoh nor Goliath
By
President Goodluck JonathanThe President missed the point in his analysis of the criticisms against his style
IT is difficult to comprehend how on earth President Goodluck Jonathan could ever have come to the conclusion that Nigerians want him to govern over them like an all-powerful, absolutist ruler. This was the impression he created by his remarks at the routine service to commemorate the country’s 51st independence anniversary held at the Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.
In the President’s astonishing words “…some Nigerians still want the President of this country to be a lion or a tiger, somebody that has that kind of strength and force and agility to make things happen the way they think. Some others will want the President to operate like an army general, like my Chief of Army Staff commanding his troops…Somebody will want the President to operate like the kings of Syria, Babylon, Egypt, the Pharaoh, all-powerful people that you read about in the Bible. Unfortunately, I am not one of those.”
The President apparently does not sufficiently understand the people he leads. Nigerians suffered under the most vicious forms of military dictatorship. The democratic dispensation we enjoy today did not emerge on a platter of gold. It was achieved through the sweat, blood and tears of Nigerians who waged a relentless struggle for human liberty and dignity. Nobody therefore appreciates better than Nigerians the import of good, responsible, accountable and law abiding governance.
It was in the context of this faith in constitutionalism that Nigerians rose in unison against the cabal that hijacked power and sought to prevent then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan’s emergence as President in accordance with the law, during the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s physical incapacitation.
President Jonathan’s victory in the last election was partly because of the widespread perception that he is humble, decent and law abiding. If he was seen as possessing the negative traits of the dictatorial biblical figures he referred to, his electoral appeal would most certainly have been significantly reduced.
Jonathan’s remarks at the church service were obviously prompted by recent harsh criticisms of his leadership style by a broad section of the public. It is important for the President to realise that ceaseless scrutiny and continuous assessment of those in authority is integral to democracy. He should listen and learn more from his critics than sycophants who will most likely tell him what he wants to hear for selfish gains.
During the last electioneering, President Jonathan made several promises that aroused public expectations. He pledged to undertake a transformational agenda that would turn around the country’s fortunes. So far, there is no indication the country is on the promised path. First, the dithering and vacillation that characterised the composition of the Federal Executive Council was dissapointing. Secondly, despite a few bright lights, the quality of the cabinet is uninspiring. Thirdly, the presidency’s preoccupation with the single tenure proposal is perceived as self serving and distracting.
Fourthly, the President’s handling of the crisis in the judiciary has undermined public confidence in his commitment to the rule of law. Fifthly, the public is suspicious of dangerous signals that suggest a determination to weaken and incapacitate the opposition. Sixthly, the government so far has appeared clueless in responding effectively to the country’s fragile security.
These are some of the issues that challenge President Jonathan’s leadership abilities. Nigerians admire his humility. But they also require him to be firm, purposeful, decisive and bold in confronting the country’s problems. In particular, he must summon the courage to resist the temptation to undermine constitutionalism and the rule of law for selfish ends. That is all Nigerians are saying.
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