Buhari: The mystery of power and politics (2)

ON the other side of the coin, it was a quantum leap for President Goodluck Jonathan and his country, Nigeria. He broke a unique record in Nigeria’s political history for his fellow politicians and the people to emulate.

In defeat, he scored an unprecedented victory of historic significance; a landmark victory that heralded a new era- the very first time a sitting Nigerian President would concede defeat at the polls even when the ballots were still counting. By acquiescing in defeat, he demonstrated that he is a man of his words; a man of great honour and courage.

He did not only prove to the world that his “personal ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.” He also distinguished himself as an exemplary statesman and great nationalist who set himself apart as a great trustee of history. History and the entire world will celebrate him and write his name in gold in commemoration of his great legacy.

For Nigerians, a new era has just emerged. It’s a new dawn and a monument of reawakening not only for the people but also for their leaders. It’s a moment for sober reflection and socio-political consciousness in the entire black race and the global community about the need for good governance and political tolerance among earthly leaders all over the world.

On the part of sit-tight African leaders, it’s a lesson for them to learn to govern their people with love, care and compassion, peace and justice as well as respect for human dignity.

On the part of Buhari, it’s not yet Uhuru. It’s not a period of conviviality or merry-making. It’s a golden opportunity for him to gird his loins, put on his crown of thorns, armour of breast plate, and brave the turbulent tides of change thrown up by fate and the benevolent spirit of the Almighty God.

It’s the time to bring to an end the era when thousands of jobless Nigerian graduates besiege the newsstands in search of job opportunities in their fatherland, only to be confronted by frightening headlines about deaths, bomb blasts, frauds, strikes, inflated contracts, 419, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds and other corrupt tendencies. It’s a time to eradicate mediocrity, ethnicity, and religious bigotry and promote merit, equity and fairness among all citizens of this nation. To clean the Augean stable, the President-elect needs a divine courage, doggedness and positive attitude to do the right thing for the general good of the people who elected him

It’s an opportunity for Buhari and the APC political machinery to brace up and do great things for Nigerians, who gave them their mandate, by transforming the lives of the common man.

It’s the time to bring to an end the era when thousands of jobless Nigerian graduates besiege the newsstands in search of job opportunities in their fatherland, only to be confronted by frightening headlines about deaths, bomb blasts, frauds, strikes, inflated contracts, 419, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds and other corrupt tendencies.

It’s a time to eradicate mediocrity, ethnicity, and religious bigotry and promote merit, equity and fairness among all citizens of this nation. To clean the Augean stable, the President-elect needs a divine courage, doggedness and positive attitude to do the right thing for the general good of the people who elected him.

To succeed, I urge him to be humble and benevolent in victory by closing ranks with the outgoing president in honour and dignity, which he deserves as a great and distinguished statesman.

There is a very strong need for Buhari and the APC government to recognise and reciprocate the uncommon sportsmanship and spirit of magnanimity exhibited by Jonathan, by giving him a sense of belonging in the political governance of the country.

He must look beyond the Jonathan era and brace up to the challenging task of building a sustainable legacy for the future generation of Nigerians by fighting insecurity, corruption, impunity, executive lawlessness and incessant power outage across the country.

Now, it is time to move forward. On assumption of office, Buhari needs to hit the ground running by cleaning the Augean stable. He needs to clear the existing political stumbling blocks that lay his way.

He must bring in the bricklayer, rebuild the cracked walls of the homestead, and paint up the debilitating mess of the portage in our clime.

There is a very strong need for Buhari and the APC government to recognise and reciprocate the uncommon sportsmanship and spirit of magnanimity exhibited by Jonathan, by giving him a sense of belonging in the political governance of the country. He must look beyond the Jonathan era and brace up to the challenging task of building a sustainable legacy for the future generation of Nigerians by fighting insecurity, corruption, impunity, executive lawlessness and incessant power outage across the country

To achieve this, the General must adjust his crown of thorns and tune up a new national culture and orientation for the government and the people.

He must develop and imbue the citizenry a new set of national values that would foster sustainable socio-cultural and political transformation of the country. This will go a long way to revamping the national psyche and brace the citizens to the task ahead.

It’s only by so doing that the pride and honour of our great country, Nigeria, can be restored among comity of great nations. To God be the glory. Concluded.