By ‘Tope Oriola
Dear President Goodluck Jonathan:
Let me begin by stating that I approach your person and presidency
from a sympathetic perspective. My unsolicited support is predicated on
the fact that you are from the Niger Delta, a region that has given so
much yet received little from our country and perhaps because you have
always struck me as a humble exemplar of the rags to prominence fable.
As an underdog in the political terrain, you were a stranger to
power: You were not from a political family; you were neither from the
military nor business class. You were from the periphery of the
academia. I have occasionally been embarrassed by how you were treated
by some critics. I have had occasion to be upset at how some journalists
treated you in some of the interviews you granted. Like many Nigerians,
I wanted you to succeed as your success was directly correlated with
our success as a society. Therefore, this letter is not full of vitriol.
Rather, it contains a sober and non-partisan assessment of your options
at this defining moment.
Societies do not often go through this kind of moment. I presume that
you and those around you can sense the mood of the times. Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo saw a glimpse of the quality of this moment during the
third term debacle. General Ibrahim Babangida who famously “stepped
aside” may speak to the character of this moment. But by a wide margin,
General Sani Abacha’s era could provide clearer lessons. You are on the
cusp of history. You are, as history may record, in a world-historical
crucible at this moment. Nobody feels it better than you. Nobody in
Nigeria bears greater responsibility. Our country’s survival is in your
hands.
Your Excellency, you are a product of the Nigerian system. No one
needs to remind you about your meteoric emergence on the national stage.
You were favoured above several individuals who by your own confession
were better qualified and had more experience. Nonetheless, you emerged
as a relatively young state executive; part of the new generation of
leaders without the baggage and blood-stained hands of military coups.
And of course, your being from the Niger Delta was music to the ears of
many of us. We were ecstatic; you could do no wrong in our eyes!
However, the major power brokers that made you no longer want you.
Anecdotal evidence also strongly suggests that many of the people no
longer want you. Nigeria as you admitted to US ambassador, Robin
Sanders, during the succession debacle, is too complex for a simple man
like you. I am afraid, Mr. President, that Nigeria needs someone with
qualities that you do not possess. It is not for lack of effort on your
part. There are too many wolves in Nigeria. They are not wolves in
sheep’s clothing; they are shameless wolves. You never stood a chance,
Mr. President. Nigeria needs a complex thinker who can call to order
errant old men in the self-serving elite; someone they either respect or
fear.
The ongoing political crisis is turning into heroes some who should
be in prison for corruption, human rights violation or both. Our country
is hemorrhaging. When those whose livelihood depends on not telling you
the truth leave the room and you are all alone, speak to your Creator
and do the right thing for the long-suffering Nigerian people. You must
be ready for the probability that you may lose the presidential
election. That may well be good for the country and yourself. It is time
for you to stay true to your belief in the Scriptures: All power
belongs to God and he gives it to whomever he wills.
I am not particularly thrilled that someone who was military Head of
State when I was barely out of diapers may succeed you in office but
that may well be the beauty of democracy. Do not impede the voice of the
people. History may yet be kind to you if you conduct free and fair
elections. You are unlikely to win the Mo Ibrahim or Nobel Prize but you
will earn significant respect for peaceful transfer of power and begin a
dignified life in retirement. You may even become a power broker
although I view you as too humble to want that role.
Your Excellency, your primary aim must now be a higher purpose than
winning an election. Allow Professor Attahiru Jega to do his job. You
cannot replace the umpire at the last minute. The optics are bad. Meet
with the Inspector General of Police and military chiefs and let them
know that your political ambitions are secondary to the well-being of
our country. Stop your supporters from fanning the embers of religious
bigotry. Provide the needed resources and leadership to tackle Nigeria’s
many security problems. Allow the notion of an interim national
government to remain what it is — a mere rumour. Please, address the
Nigerian people and tell fellow Nigerians you are speaking to them as
their leader and not a candidate for election. Tell them to vote for
whomsoever they please and that you will ensure there is no electoral
rigging.
It is your right to stand for office but ensure you act ethically and
legally. Campaign with all your heart but be ready to accept defeat. I
do not think that your luck has ran out. I think your luck has now
called you to rise beyond the self. Your name is Goodluck.
There may yet be more luck in store for you but clinging on to power is
not in your fortunes. You will be stunned at how history will remember
you if you organize free and fair elections. Do not take Nigeria towards
the road to Rwanda. I wish you well.
Sincerely,
‘Tope Oriola.
‘Tope Oriola is assistant professor of criminology at the University of Alberta, Canada. He is author of Criminal Resistance? The Politics of Kidnapping Oil Workers.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment