‘Jonathan Has Done Very Well In All The Sectors’

Omasan Mabiaku, National Coordinator of Dr. Ngozi Olejeme Support Group for Goodluck Jonathan, speaks on the activities of the group, the chances of Jonathan in the election and other issues. 

WHAT is the Dr. Ngozi Olejeme’s Support Group for Goodluck all about?

  The group was founded by Dr. Ngozi Olejeme to mobilise support for the return of Jonathan, who from her assessment, has done very well in all the sectors of the economy in his first tenure. As they say, one good term deserves another. 

  In a space of five years, Jonathan has been able transform the country’s economy, especially in the areas of road network, agriculture, health, education and other key sectors. 

  Nigeria now has the largest economy in Africa and the 26th in the world. That is no mean achievement, but courtesy of the good leadership skills of Jonathan.

  These giant strides prompted the formation of the group, which has branches in virtually all the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja.   

  One of its aims is to mobilise massive support for the President, especially at the grassroots.

What have been your activities so far since the inception?  

  As part of our activities, we have been involved in sensitisation of Nigerians on the need to cast their vote for the President on Saturday.   

  We have been to the length and breadth of the country, sensitising Nigerians on the achievements of Jonathan in the last four years and the need for continuity. 

  The bane of Nigeria’s development has been lack of continuity, as new governments always abandon projects initiated by their predecessors, resulting in so many abandoned projects. 

  Jonathan has initiated so many new projects and so should be allowed to finish them, instead of changing midway. 

How has the reception been?

  The reception and responses from Nigerians have been wonderful and exciting. It is been very encouraging and is an indication of the love and respect they have for Olejeme, who is our benefactor. 

  The people have turned out en masse to show solidarity and identified with our mission. Our campaign has been very intensive and result oriented. 

  We are very convinced, going by the massive support and turnout of potential voters, that Jonathan will win the election overwhelmingly.   

  We have sufficiently mobilised men and women, young and old, students, pensioners, artisans, traders, market women and farmers for the re-election of Jonathan.

How would you describe our democratic experience so far?

   It is unfortunate that Nigeria’s democracy, which is fashioned after America’s presidential system, has not quite taken root because of obvious factors.

  The problems of democracy in Nigeria cannot be limited to just the factors above, but could take their bearing from all of them.

  Nonetheless, the central impediment to the growth of democracy in Nigeria is the inability of the system to adapt to our local environment.

  The last 20 years have witnessed a multiplicity of tensions, crises and conflicts. The decade of unparalleled difficulties in Nigeria has, to some extent, brought the feeling of nervous, gloom, anxiety, worry, pressure, intimidation and very dangerous condition in the relationship between the people and the various governments, particularly between 1993 and 1998.

  It is no longer strange to watch on our television, listen over our radio and read in our newspapers and magazines the incessant political clashes and fracas in all the Houses of Assembly, Representatives and the Senate. 

  It is also no longer news to observe the very dangerous rate at which principal officers of the state Assemblies and local government chairman are being impeached.   

  Sometimes, the symbol of authority- the mace- is broken and even smuggled out to unknown destinations. 

  It is clear that Nigeria is groaning under the yoke of widespread poverty, characterised by hunger, malnutrition, social vices, decaying infrastructure, among others.

   Over 70 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, despite Nigeria being the sixth largest oil producing country. 

  It is also astonishing that Nigeria ranks as one of the poorest countries on earth. What an irony? 

  Where has the oil money gone? This is a question that is begging and weeping profusely for answer.

  In other words, it is no exaggeration to say that the country’s economy is suffering from internal indiscipline and external shock, largely induced by the over-dependence on crude oil as the sole pillar of national survival, as well as greed of some of our leaders.

  This country is not going to move forward for prosperity through some people’s manipulations, but on the basis of truth and nothing but the truth. Manipulation can take place for a very long time, but it will never stand the test of time.

  We need to exhibit patience in nurturing democracy and its institutions in Nigeria. It has been said quite often that before the several military coups, sometimes on the invitation of some civilians for their selfish reasons.

  Nigerian politicians should borrow a leaf from developed countries and put away individual interests and embrace the interests of all Nigerians for the country to move forward, especially in the right direction.