Thursday 15 November 2012

OPINION: Jonathan’s failing Presidency – by Bayo Olupohunda




These are worst times to be a Nigerian. Where do we begin to sketch the tragedy of a nation at a crossroads? That the crisis of leadership is synonymous with the Nigerian state is a source of constant angst. But never since the dark years of military brigandage has this tragedy manifested so agonisingly than the Jonathan administration. It’s hard to think of a president that has been more of an epic failure than this president. Even Ibrahim Babangida and the late Sani Abacha, believed by many Nigerians to be the architects of our present woes, would be glad this guy came along, so at least they know they are no longer the worst presidents ever. But this much is now clear: on every count, President Jonathan has failed. Though pride or egotism may prevent many in the administration from acknowledging it, there is simply no rational argument left to plausibly deny this unfortunate reality. Whether it is the deepening poverty, crumbling value of the naira, growing insecurity in the land, the collapse of the economy, official corruption that is spinning dangerously close to the point of no return, depressing youth unemployment and the lack of political will by the President Jonathan’s Presidency has not been a successful one. One of the worst ever. We do not need three more years to know that the fate of our nation precariously hangs on the balance. Historically speaking, it is almost always sound practice to allow for a healthy passage of time before drawing conclusions about the relative success or failure of a particular administration. But there was always a chance that a Presidency would occur where the answer was painfully self-evident. In that sense, it appears the President was the one we have been waiting for. Ordinary Nigerians are daily confronted by the ineptitude and hypocrisy of this government. It is ironical that a government that had the mandate of Nigerians can barefacedly betray the confidence so brazenly in an “I-don’t-give-a-damn” manner.
How can a government be so unfeeling about the welfare of its citizens? All we hear on a daily basis are excuses about how things will get better or how Nigerians are so impatient. How sad! This government keeps giving reasons for its dismal performance. It keeps harping on the virtue of patience. One moment the President “does not give a damn” about being accountable to us or what we think about his failure of leadership; at another time, he tells us not to hold him responsible for our misery! Then in a twinkle of an eye, the cacophony tirades from his media aides reprimand us for not appreciating what the President is doing or is going to do. Then they proceed to flaunt his illusory achievements to our utter consternation. They must be living in fantasyland to think Nigerians are impressed with the mediocrity of this administration. Of course, Nigerians are patient or may be, docile. They have been for 52 horrible years.
So, is it too much to demand that this government live up to its responsibilities? It is annoying to hear the President’s apologists castigate Nigerians for asking their President to act presidential and not as Complainer-in-Chief. They say it is too early to measure the President’s achievements. But does morning not show the day? So far, this government has not shown the roadmap that the next three years will be different. There is a clear evidence that this government has nothing to offer Nigerians in the long term? The phony achievements of this government will pale into insignificance when juxtaposed with its monumental failures. Youth unemployment, insecurity of lives and property, violent crimes, official corruption, worsening state of infrastructure, unprovoked police shootings of innocent Nigerians and many more have largely defined this administration. Take, for example, corruption; the scourge has become endemic. In spite of the massive allegations of official sleaze, no high profile case has been seen to its logical conclusion. Of course, there is the much-hyped arraignments and unending trials. None has led to conviction.
But Nigerians are not deceived by the antics of this government to protect corrupt individuals who steal the country blind while the President makes empty promises of fighting corruption. The sordid details of fraud in the oil sector, for example, are an embarrassment to the nation. The oil sector reform will continue to be an exercise in futility so long as corruption reigns supreme. Recently, several committees inaugurated to ensure transparency and accountability have become “oily business” (in the words of the President).
There comes a time and a point in history which indelibly defines a President. Oftentimes, the event may not be of major significance in the greater scheme of things but the management of it is of such prominence that the success or failure in the handling of the issue is permanently attached to the individual. Such a moment has happened to President Jonathan. His prevarications, petulance and mediocrity in handling national crises have indelibly created an image of abject failure in the minds of a critical mass of citizens. He will never be able to overcome the portrait that has been etched in too many minds. Will the situation get better? It is not likely. The Jonathan administration has been held hostage by powerful interest groups who do not care about the common good. They are driven by the vile quest to protect the status quo. The President is a willing accomplice. President Jonathan has also become a slave to his own inordinate ambition to seek a second term. So he turns a blind eye to the corrupt influences in his administration. That is the reason why this government cannot effectively fight corruption. That is why Nigerians will not have regular supply of electricity. The corruption in the oil sector will become messier in the coming years. The die is now cast. The President has made permanent impression in the minds of a majority of the Nigerian people the image of a man incapable of being President. There is nothing he can do in the remaining years before 2015, particularly as the country is clearly heading the wrong direction, to change that perception. The Jonathan administration is highly compromised. It is the duty of ordinary Nigerians to vote out this menace in 2015.

- Bayo Olupohunda

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