When President Goodluck Jonathan ascended power as the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria few years back, there were jubilations across the country. Hopes were high. And Nigerians all over the world were filled with expectations of a greater nation under a youthful, vibrant and highly educated helmsman. Though not really prominent in the national politics, but his experiences right from his days as deputy governor to governor, vice president and acting president further strengthened the minds of both old and young that the country has finally yielded to its call for greatness.
Coupled with his background as he narrated in his infamous campaign slogan – “I have no shoe”, since most Nigerians fitted into his ‘economic class’, it is assumed that he will identify with them and fight their course given that he probably come from similar economic background. They intend to see power resuscitated, revamped hospitals, revolutionised educational system, available and affordable health services, effective housing development and general reduction in poverty through massive employment.
Of a truth, as soon as he took over, he swung into operation with battalions of ministers, advisers and aides, none was complaining as they are really needed to help in establishing the new theatre of hope. He started with the appointment of women to fill in certain offices to fulfil his campaign promises of having 35 per cent cabinet members made of women. This and other decisions taken were fabulous as none as ever fulfilled such. The hopes were further amplified by legions of men and women who still lived in the euphoria of the highly celebrated victory; he sets in for work and announced a developmental template christened “Transformational Agenda” under the leadership of Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Each year, budgets were rolled out with different name tags, each executive meeting have its own pronouncement, and it is either a multi-billion naira project has been approved for a road or rail project or something similar. Nigerians probably started believing that they might have broken the curse of bad leadership as it looked like the rainy days were here.
An x-ray of President Goodluck Jonathan tenure will always be with mixed fillings. The government definitely made some achievements. To me, the feet achieved in infrastructure development is enormous. Some roads were constructed while others were rehabilitated. For instance, the notorious Lagos–Ore-Benin Road that has defied several measures from past administrations wore a new look, the former death trap was given face lifting for safer commuting. It was not restricted to this road alone, several roads across the nation were awarded and projects with impact across the six geopolitical zones were also instituted. Apart from road projects, giant strides were recorded in the rail system though with apparent lack of innovation and ideas. The types of rail systems constructed by Jonathan’s Government were very acute and outdated. This might have implied that all the funds invested on the projects might end up as waste; building of monorail in the 21st century is truculent.
The government of President Jonathan faced unusual challenges; major among them is terrorism. Even though terrorism is a worldwide threat, no government has ever had it so bad in Nigeria politics as in this tenure. The apparent lack of know-how, poorly equipped security apparatus and deliberate sabotage by certain individuals contributed to the growth of the peril. The guerrilla warfare styled terrorists took advantage of the naivety of the government to expand their territory and gained acquaintances, in the process, thousands of lives were lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed across the country. At the height of the unrest, President Jonathan’s assurance to the populace that he was on top of it became rhetorical that gave him appellations such as “clueless”. His approach of tackling terrorism was demeaning. Though the recent approaches suggest that things are taking new shape but it would have been better if the government has demonstrated understanding and leadership in the early days.
Another major issue that shaped Jonathan’s government is the perceived unexplainable tolerance for corruption. His perceived kids’ glove for the act by allowing culprit going free was a blow. Despite public outcry over the handling of corrupt cases in the country, he showed complete lack of wherewithal in fighting the scourge. Some statements credited to him were insulting to Nigerians who assume he should know better. During his regime, the anti corruption institutions like EFCC and ICPC were weakened, flaws in our judicial system were exposed and public officials make a free show of embezzling public fund since they are sure of soft landing. Corrupt practices reached a new height as revealed by the two former Central Bank Governors. One was the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, who alleged that $20 billion oil revenue was not remitted into the federation account. Also Charles Soludo estimated the money stolen during Jonathan era to about N30 trillion. Imagine the magnitude of corrupt practices perpetrated during this period!
Leadership deficiencies rocked and wrecked the administration. Good leader values influencers, solicit their supports, encourage them as they influence others to get the change that will benefit him – John Maxwell. President Jonathan chooses the opposite by frustrating influencers forcing them to seek abode in foreign land by forging alliance with adversaries. This was the scenario of the five state governors who defected from the ruling party at the height of the inharmonious relationship at the ruling party. Of course, as it has been attested by some leaders of the incoming government, All Progressives Congress could have struggled if the defected governors were still members of Peoples Democratic Party. Toying with a maverick political strategist like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a mistake. His antecedents and display of his well lubricated political arsenals were enough to effect a change and reshape the political terrain of the country, just wondering why President Jonathan overlook the threat and played into the hands of opposition. By May 29, 2015, Jonathan will assume new title, though it comes four years earlier owing to his personal errors of judgement. Welcome, former President Goodluck Jonathan!
Jacob Ogunseye of the JEDD Centre for Leadership and Direction writes from ([email protected]).