It is a given that President Goodluck Jonathan was voted into office through a popular mandate in 2011 that heralded the death of erstwhile President, Umaru Yar’ Adua. But after close to five years in Aso Rock, conducts and actions of the President leave much to be desired. The Goodluck Jonathan’s regime has disappointed the Nigeria populace to say the least, hence he should not return come 2015. The reasons are as follows:
1. CORRUPTION THRIVES
It is generally agreed that the scourge called corruption is the biggest bane militating against the growth and development of the country, consequently one expect a well meaning President to tackle the menace of corruption headlong. But in the last 5years, the Jonathan Administration has massaged and breastfed corruption to high heavens. Is it the several missing funds, the massive sharing that reign supreme in the NNPC, the delay in getting rid of the erstwhile minister of Aviation, Stella Odua and the litany of Pension Scams pervading the polity. Are we forgetting something? Didn’t Jonathan campaign for corrupt element like Ayo Fayose? Of course we can’t forget the withdrawal of Abacha’s case even against the Supreme Court’s ruling, the president went further to lay credence to these assertions when he said stealing was not corruption.
2. LACK OF ELECTRICITY
Many were of the opinion that if the Jonathan Administration could tackle the Power situation of Nigerians, then he would be celebrated. But that has not been the case. With billions of naira spent on the Power sector and the subsequent unbundling of the PHCN, Nigerians are still in darkness. What is it with the Power sector that we just can’t solve once and for all? President Jonathan promised stable power in December in 2013, later June 2014 and now we are in July. Do you have electricity in your domain? How long are we going to listen to unfulfilled promises?
3. TOO POLITICAL THAN A STATESMAN
A popular quote says "politicians think of the next election, statesmen think of the next generation". Obviously President Jonathan does not believe in this. A president enmeshing himself in one political fight after another is not healthy for our politics. Jonathan aligning with the Jang faction as against Governor Amaechi that won an election is not Presidential. Is 16 greater than 19? During a campaign in Ekiti state, the President was quoted to have said: "I would develop Ekiti state, if Fayose wins the election." Is Jonathan not the President of Nigeria?
4. APPOINTMENTS AS COMPENSATION
Political offices under the Jonathan Administration suddenly turned to a conduit pipe for compensating politicians. Bamanga Tukur was booted out due to the internal wrangling in the PDP. What did Jonathan do? He appointed Tukur as the Chairman of the Railway Corporation, less than 3 months later Tukur was made Ambassador at large. It is of note that Alhaji Tukur is in his eighties. Where are the young technocrats in this country? Must you compensate politicians with appointments even when they are not competent?
5. SECURITY SITUATION
Nigeria has never been so unsafe since the birth of the Nation like it is presently. Bombings, killings, destruction are being record daily and the Military and indeed the Jonathan Government is hapless and helpless. Agreed, the current security challenges predated the administration, but he promised to curb the menace of Boko Haram, hence he was voted massively into office in 2011. The onus lie on him to tackle the madness called terrorism. Obviously he seems incapable.
6. THE CHIBOK INCIDENCE
The fact remain that the Chibok girls had been in the hands of the sect for over 3 months, yet the President has not paid a visit to the family of the kidnapped Chibok girls. It took the coming of the Pakistani activist Malala Yussafzai to convince the President to do otherwise. Indecision you might want to say! Should such a figure remain as President? The President neglected families of kidnapped girls for more than 3 months. How insensitive!
7. BACK TO DEBT REGIME
The President asked the National Assembly to approve the sum of 1billion US dollars as loan for the purchase of arms and ammunition to boost the fire-power of Nigerian Military in combating the scourge of Boko Haram. From 2010 to 2013 over 3trillion naira had been spent on security without any headway. Even the 2014 budget for security is in the tune of over 900billions of naira. So what is the rationale behind that decision? I thought the era of borrowing is long gone? Is it for 2015? The National Assembly should disregard such move in its entirety.
ARE THESE REASONS NOT ENOUGH?
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