A VOTE FOR JONATHAN

The president remains the best candidate for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, argues PAUL OTOBO

ÒWords fail me, my Lords; nothing I can say could possibly indicate the depth of my feelings in this matter.Ó

I do not pretend to be the Emperor Augustus, addressing his Senate. So everything I am writing about this subject indicates the depth of my feelings and the one-sidedness of my thoughts. It was the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who said something to the effect that the world is a market place; life is nothing but a series of choices. Goodluck Jonathan, the village boy from Otuoke has done well within a short time to earn the confidence of many Nigerians. He has earned mine. The essence of governance is to affect the lives of the people. For much of the time that he has assumed the reins of power, he has demonstrated a passion and uncommon commitment which are pointers to an administration that would be beneficial.

Frankly, there is still not much cause for cheer. Even with all the claims by the International Monetary Fund that the economy was growing at good pace, life in Nigeria is hard. There is poverty, hunger, neglect, and injustice. Few have the luxury of thinking beyond food and school fees for their kids. The unemployment rate is uncomfortably high. There is still no hint of the 21st Century in many communities. Running water is scarce. Education and health care are, still to many, privileges. Individuals and corporate beings rely mostly on self-generated electricity. Years of neglect had left many roads cratered like a war zone. Death is always so close.

But 50 years of accumulated ills and mismanagement cannot be righted in a hundred and eighty days. However, President Jonathan is not frightened by the enormity of the big task ahead. As a matter of fact he is taking on them. And, IÕm impressed by little things. For one, we are at least assured that some is in charge, not a weather vane which cannot make up its mind.

It is heartening to see normal life at the filling stations across Nigeria few days to Christmas, even if there are no smiles on the faces of the people. This administration has shown deep interest in tackling the source of artificial fuel scarcity and all its implied inconveniences. Except for some contrived scarcity, particularly from unionists in the sector, the product which seemed like a luxury in many places has become a mere necessity.

We seem to be in the midst of genuine efforts at ending the Òcontinuum of darknessÓ inflicted on all by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. There is a huge body of evidence, going by what is on ground and the pronouncements of his aides on the privatization of the crippling behemoth that Jonathan has a clear vision on where we are going. What is worth underling is that their activities are tied to believable specific dates, not the wide goose chase that we have been subjected to over the years. ÒI will not let you down,Ó declared the President while launching his campaigns for the 2011 elections. Like an artist, he is bent on giving the society what it wants. He has consistently canvassed free, fair and transparent elections so that democracy may have true meaning in Nigeria.

Worried by the woeful performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the past, and public outcry against the former chairman, he appointed and equipped Professor Attahiru Jega, a disciplined, honest and an academic of repute to oversee the elections. What does that suggest? Jonathan would not be President at all costs, a demonstration of political courage in this clime.

Nigerians are getting increasingly aware and sophisticated. Very much unlike some of his political opponents who are increasingly becoming bellicose and are indeed resorting to desperate measures-turning grievance into violence- Goodluck has remained calm and calculating. He is acutely aware that democracy cannot be sustained by dictatorial methods, as the means cannot justify the ends. He has anchored his campaigns not on the awesome power of incumbency but on meeting the needs and aspirations of the people- tackling the poverty and despair of the masses, enticing our young men and women from crime and violence and pushing the frontiers of necessity, moulding peopleÕs mind by increasing the number of those who can read, write, add and subtract and indeed keeping the elite guessing as to where the next intellectual will come from. ÒGive me a future and a hopeÓ one of his many political advertisements proclaimed. Among the people he planned to give hope, future and indeed light are the Almajiris-IslamÕs poor, fanatics and street kids often nourished exclusively on religious tracts, and often used by mischief makers to wreak havoc on society. And a few days ago, he launched the ÒBring Back the BookÓ campaign which aimed at getting Nigerians to start reading again. ÒExpectedly JonathanÕs opponents are picking on him as a weak and indecisive leader. The Atiku Abubakar campaign machinery is making a political capital of the cable leaks by the whistleblower, Wikileaks on the alleged confidential meeting between Jonathan and the former United States Ambassador Ms Robin Sanders where the President allegedly claimed self-doubt and political inexperience. Even if true he has surmounted it. He is seen by the people as a sincere, honest and transparent leader who has the political will to ensure the realization of the Nigerian dream. He is not seen as a complex figure in Nigeria politicsÉ nor a man Òdifficult to evaluateÓ in a country plagued by corruption. He has never been indicted or charged with wholesale corruption over the years. He has a clean. The combined effect of his appeal might explain the rash of endorsements from leading men and women in and out of government and all over Nigeria.

ÒNigeria needs leaders with high ethical standardsÓ. Said Chukwudifu Oputa, former justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan fits the bill. To conclude otherwise is to deny the data.