ON MANDELA FOR JONATHAN
by
Anthony Akinola*
Nelson Mandela is today the world's most loved statesman across racial, religious or ideological divides. Even though he is already 94, an age most human beings do not attain, the world still wishes him to continue to live for more years. Mandela is the quintessential saint, one who has no space for grudges in his heart. "It does not matter if he is being patched together on a life support machine, what I may not be able to bear is the thought that Nelson Mandela is no longer here with us", said an old English woman whose ears have literally been glued to the radio since the elder statesman was admitted to hospital.
Of course, death is inevitable and the much- admired Nelson Mandela cannot live forever; when his end finally does come, what would not end is his place in the consciousness of history. And, of course, in the hearts of those of us who survive him.
The tale of Nelson Mandela's incarceration for 27 years will be told to generations yet unborn. If his important South African nation endures as one in which different racial groupings co-exist peacefully, the path of reconciliation charted by the conciliatory character of Nelson Mandela will forever be eulogised. For the apartheid system under which Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison, was one racial injustice on an ignoble scale as that of slavery. It was a system in which the minority whites held the majority blacks in servitude and degradation. Nelson Mandela, even when he was the symbol of that oppression, refused to reward evil with evil when the apartheid system eventually collapsed and natural order took its turn.
Nelson Mandela's uniqueness or exceptionality was demonstrated in his choice of decency when he became the first black President in 1994, opting for reconciliation instead of revenge. Equally noteworthy is the fact that he declined to seek re-election after serving out a first term in 1999.
In a continent where political leaders are noted for "sit-tightism", election-rigging and manipulative politics, Nelson Mandela's attitude to transient political power is noteworthy. If he were a Nigerian politician, there would be supporters arguing that he deserved to stay longer in office because he had suffered so much and should "enjoy". In the scramble for power and more power, a Nelson Mandela of another African nation would have long lost respect in the eyes of the civilised world. The goodwill the dignified Madiba enjoys at home and abroad would not have been there. The life of Nelson Mandela is, indeed, a lesson in endurance, humility and contentment to all of us.
Of course, Nelson Mandela's life of glory should be a lesson to President Goodluck Jonathan. Our country, Nigeria, is on a threshold; a patriotic Goodluck Jonathan can be what decides peace instead of anarchy in the years ahead. Goodluck Jonathan should reflect on the contentment of Nelson Mandela who suffered personal humiliation and deprivations because of his people, yet refused to see political power as a matter of life and death.
Goodluck Jonathan is not known to have ever carried a placard because of Nigeria, much less of being humiliated because of her. If he were my brother or friend, I would tell him there is a time to say "Thank You" to Almighty God for how far "luck" has carried us in life. I would tell him stories of tragedies that had very happy beginnings and pray with him that his is not one.
Goodluck Jonathan will have been vice-president and president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for 8 years by 2015. Even when he may be constitutionally entitled to seek re-election, there must have been a reason or reasons why he once told us he would not be seeking re-election. Sycophants, ethnic jingoists and beneficiaries of state power would undoubtedly be willing him on; however, a man or woman of wisdom and determination should see beyond these parochial interests. The writing is on the wall and the omen is not good.
There has been the warning, albeit from those who can make it happen, that Nigeria could disintegrate by 2015. Two thousand and fifteen happens to be an election year, with all its historical implications. The war drums are already out; the same Nigerians who were reportedly said to have rejected "rotational presidency"have been threatening all sorts of violence if the president was not elected from their regional grouping. Confusion, confusion, and more confusion, may God help the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
*Akinola is a political writer based in Oxford, UK.
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