The GEJ Fairy Presidency for Nigeria
By Eugene Ndubuisi Nwosu
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Politics is a game of numbers and people make up those numbers. In politics and as in life, generally, people make most tangible things happen, the rest are just abstract. One of the major strengths in winning in any group and or organisational activity is strong team work. Strong, effective and efficient team derives its momentum and winning edge from high level trusts and the speed of trusts within the group. Each member of the team lowering their (his/her) ego to bear and allow his/her true humane qualities and unique potentials (creative abilities) to become manifest for the overall benefit of the group.
Nigeria's incumbent President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is most likely to win the April 2011 Presidential context for the following obvious reasons:
1) The other contenders have woefully disappointed. These people do not care enough about Nigeria. They are so much into their ego, self-aggrandisement; building themselves up just to collect the title of Presidential Aspirant under sweet and sensational (also ran) party names. If they truly cared about how to solve Nigeria's monumental socio-economic problems they would have stepped out of their egotistical (not so) comfort-zone, look beyond their noses, stop being myopic, acknowledge and appreciate the fact that the entity Nigeria is under the shackles of monstrous and peculiar ethno-religious divide. Several tribes, languages and different religions divide us. We can harness and unite that which divides us (tribe and tongue) under the presidential system which we now practices only with two strong political parties competing for the chance to serve the people.
Election into any office in a presidential system operates under "the winner takes it all" rule. There are no vote transfers or proportional representation as in parliamentary system. The lack of foresight, unwillingness or inflexibility on the part of these political actors has allowed the behemoth, the huge political animal (PDP) to have their way; and so it shall be for the next four years or more (o.k... perish the thought). That other political actors in Nigeria (so-called opposition parties) have not, since 2003, been able to come-together and put up a strong political party capable of defeating the PDP is regrettable. Too much power in the hands of one person is never good. Too much power in the hands of a huge political party is not good; and too long in-charge of governance is equally not the best. A democratic change after, at least, two terms in power invigorates change and a panacea for accountability and progressive leadership; because 'absolute power corrupts.'
PDP is made up of a lot of great and well-meaning Nigerian leaders; a lot of them are in that party because they love to play from the centre, they do not wish to be on the side line, and because there is no other viable alternative. I bet that if the Babangida's ingenious two-party system (which he created by military fiat and later scuttle for reasons I'm still waiting to know) could find a way to creep back into our electoral law or into the constitution (by democratic referendum); there would be massive paradigm shift and system shift – a wholesome rearrangement of the iceberg of Nigeria's political fellowship and thrust will follow.
2) The stratum of people and personalities who make up the PDP, just like any large family, is normal. Every strong organisation must make room for diversity; and be flexible and able to accommodate those distinctive differences. Thus, PDP is a colossal – party of the 'good', 'bad', and 'ugly' of Nigeria. In politics, as in the game of soccer and other team sport, no team or club should pretend or assume the "holier than they" attitude in formation. There should be no permanent enemies; rather pragmatism and inter-relational ties should be forged and anchored on tolerance and compromises.
3) President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan possesses impeccable qualification and experience for the office for which he is seeking to return to. His resume is far reputable and exudes much higher impetus and trust than the rest of the contenders.
4) President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's background is more suited to resolving Nigeria's present and imminent albatross – the Niger Delta troubles. The Niger-Delta quandary can only be fully-resolved with this opportunity. Oil and the common-wealth it generates are a major pixie, brownie, hobgoblin to Nigeria. I think it is by divine providence that GEJ, a true son of Ijaw-land, the mainstay of Nigeria's elf (oil) that is happening and being validated to give to the Niger Delta nation the all-important emotional restitution they have been yawning for – just as President Obasanjo's tenure was used to wipe the slate and burry June 12 encumbrances; and President Umaru Yaradua's (though short) tenure provided some restitution for the patriotisms of his late brother, Musa Yaradua and the tragic (death) loss to his family.
The restitution which I have written about here is not necessarily material reparation; rather the emotional satisfaction that equity, fairness and justice has prevailed. Surely; the indigenes of Niger Delta know that all the extra-monetary allocation that Nigeria poured into the area in the last three decades have been swallowed by the corrupt leaders in the Niger Delta who where supposed to utilize same for the development of Niger Delta. Just as President Obasanjo served the entire Nigeria nation as one; without specifically and specially favouring the Yoruba-land, or the Abiola family more; we expect President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to be the President of One-Nigeria, and be fair and just to all.
5) President Goodluck Jonathan is equally reputed for possessing amiable character that is very much needed in a democratic dispensation to manage and lead a heavily diverse and complex society as Nigeria.
6) I have great respect and regard for General Buhari's sincerity, persistence and commitment. But he hasn't got strong enough team. He shot down any chances he would have had when he exhibited arbitrary and undemocratic tendencies by his choice of running mate, Tunde Bakare. Just as he showed no sensitivity to the core perception and feelings of the generality of ethno-religious divide by choosing Idiagbon (fellow-Muslim and Northerner) during his short-lived military regime. I would have thought that that some harsh lesson was learned; but not.
7) Nuhu Ribadu does not have the experience and political clout. He is a no-brainer and no-runner for me.
Whichever way it might go, GEJ's and PDP wins; be it with fewer states and slim majority in the two legislative houses.
I am optimistic and do, strongly believe, that in no distance future, Nigerians will have just two strong political parties competing for votes and the chance to serve with honour and dignity – effectively and efficiently for progressive and better Nigeria.
2015 and the Igbo clamour
I would not lose any sleep on such notion and time-line. I am from the meritocracy school of thought - a social-democratic system that gives opportunities and advantages to people on the basis of their abilities and achievements. I believe that when the time is right, and if a president from one of the South Eastern States is needed to hold the brief and manage affairs as President, going forward for the benefit of Nigeria, divine nature's providence will bring about the dynamics that can make it happen. Democratic leadership is fluid and a never ending upward journey; thus I will not put a time-line on when anyone from any ethnic group in Nigeria should assume the exalted position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It is well with Nigeria.
With best wishes, always
Positively
Eugene Nwosu
Tel: +353 (0)87 7635 734
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/OptimalEdge.html
Emails: eugenenwosu201@hotmail.com; eugenenwosu@gmail.com; info@optimaledge.net; Eugene@optimaledge.net; eugenenwosu@yahoo.com
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> Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:16:26 -0800
> Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Appeal to African Union : Benghazi in Libya needs HELP
> From: corneliushamelberg@gmail.com
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
>
> In my view the African Union should at least, be trying to persuade
> Mr. Gaddafi to go for peace, and not war.... he apparently has the
> money for extra mercenaries and to grease his war machines. It's day
> 27 out of 103. We will see if he will remain leader forever.....
>
> http://www.thelocal.se/blogs/corneliushamelberg/2011/03/12/benghazi-for-crying-out-loud-please-help-the-oppressed-libyan-people/
>
> Benghazi : For crying out loud : Please help the oppressed Libyan
> People
> March 12th, 2011 by Cornelius Hamelberg
>
> BENGHAZI – the last stronghold. News : the next battle: "The people of
> Benghazi know that it's them or Gaddafi"
>
> Breaking news:Arab countries back no-fly zone over Libya
>
> This makes a man proud of the Arab League. People should be proud of
> themselves, of who they are – and of course, should respect others,
> human otherness.
>
> Two weeks ago, the news was that the Arab League had banned Gaddaf
> from Arab League meetings and so when I read this headline Libyan
> delegation arrives in Cairo (for the Arab League Summit there) I was
> surprised and apprehensive that Gaddafi's petro-dollars could have
> gone a long way in purchasing support among Arab League members –
> through baksheesh – in the same way that he has been successful in
> purchasing support from some uncle tom so called "Black African
> leaders" South of the Sahara, who always salute and say "yes boss" to
> some Gaddafi money. They gratefully say, " Dollah Akbar! " ( That the
> dollar is king)
>
> "Let him slaughter all opposition, it's not our business it's their
> internal affair"?
>
> And some of the toothless chimpanzees who lack any moral or military
> backbone whatsoever are talking about sending Muslim troops into the
> divided Ivory Coast to support their brother Quattara. About the Ivory
> Coast: Having listened to informed sources from Abidjan and elsewhere,
> in my opinion new elections should be held and the whole old cadre of
> Quattara, Bédié and Gbagbo should go whilst they bring in some new
> blood like Innocent Anaky Kobena
>
> The Ivory Coast is in need of someone like him.
>
> Good thing shown at this latest Cairo summit :Arab Pride. So that we
> do not have to read another stomach-churning essay like this one,
> published on 1st January 2009 and entitled "The Last Phase of Arab
> Shame" , advisedly,to be read with eyes open and ignoring anti-Semite
> Shaykh Dr. Abdalqadir as-Sufi's ritual Islamic enmity towards Beloved
> Israel .
>
> Beloved Israel where Palestinian terrorists have been at their trade
> again, this time wiping out a family of five including a baby, at
> their home in Samaria
>
> As I was saying, a good thing shown at this latest Cairo summit is
> that the Arabs have their Arab pride, and at least love their own Arab
> people and on the whole are more affluent – many of them also have
> oil……and are not just prepared to accept anything from Gaddafi , for a
> few dollars more…
>
> I was still apprehensive since by early Friday evening what I had
> heard about that their meeting in Cairo was that they were still
> divided about what to do about Gaddafi's barbaric behaviour. I was
> getting angry that if they cannot be agreed about doing something then
> it's a toothless Arab League, in the eyes of the world, an Arab League
> which countenances atrocities being inflicted by their brother Gaddafi
> on their other brothers, sisters and children of the Arab people.
>
> Who loves Gaddafi? I'm not exactly saying that he's a monkey or that
> he is a disgrace to the Human or the Arab race. The question at this
> time is WHO loves Gaddafi?
>
> This brutal man called Gaddafi is more power-hungry and more desperate
> than ever.
>
> Brutal – and as Ronald Reagan once so accurately described him, he is
> quite MAD … and needless to say,armed and dangerous. He is said to be
> in possession of CHEMICAL WEAPONSi and perhaps that's the madness he
> has in mind when he says that when he gives the order," everythig will
> burn!"
>
> He has ruled Libya as their strongman for forty-two years now and
> would like to rule forever – not only Libya, but as the self-styled,
> self-crowned "King of Kings of Africa" – the man who has spent so many
> billions of dollars bribing African heads of states who are beholden
> to him, perhaps even after all his latest monkey business he has been
> performing in Libya , he still has ambitions of ruling not only Libya
> but also the rest of his Kingdom of Africa.
>
> His illusion of grandeur and his ambition knows no limit with regard
> to time or space. But he must know or at least suspect that Gaddafi is
> not getting any younger or getting any stronger by bombing and
> murdering the Libyan people, so ruthlessly.
>
> It's Libya that's getting weaker; it's Libya that's bleeding.
>
> Libya being bled by Gaddafi.
>
> From the very start he could have called for a national dialogue
> instead of saying "I will execute anybody who opposes me!"
>
> Whilst the humanitarian attention of the whole world is with the
> people of Japan who are the victims of a natural catastrophe, that
> monster tsunami , Gaddafi ( somebody calls him "the monkey Gaddafi"
> perhaps because monkey rhymes with Gaddafi – ) well Colonel Gaddafi is
> taking unique advantage of the tsunami having diverted the world's
> attention to natural disaster and away from his monster attacks on his
> people : he has bombed and shot away everything he can bomb and shoot
> at and got people flying helter-skelter from their towns and villages.
>
> Yes, the good news: The Arab League backs no-fly zone in Libya
>
> And here is some even better horse sense, otherwise known as common
> sense all based on humanitarian considerations. It's a recommendation
> from one of my best friends, Ted Belman : Bomb Libya's air force
> rather than maintain a no-fly zone
>
> or as US Admiral Bull Halsey is quoted here : "Hit hard, hit fast, hit
> often."
>
> Long live the Brave Libyan people who are opposed to the tyranny of
> Gaddafi!
>
> --
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