Looking at how the turn of events unfolded recently in Malawi, one can comfortably say that another presidential casualty is in the making in Africa. This time though, it is not in South Africa but West Africa where President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s presidency is going to face its toughest test. Being the economic power house of Africa, whatever happens in Nigeria carries African hallmark.
Africa recently lost one of a few female presidents. Joyce Banda was the second African female president after Liberian one Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Banda arose to power after the president to whom she was a vice president, Bingu wa Mutharika died in office just like Nigerian Goodluck Jonathan who ascended to power after the death of President Umar Mussa Yar’Adua. Banda was recently beaten by Mutharika’s sibling Peter Arthur Mutharika the current president of Malawi.
Helped by good luck just like his name, Jonathan presidency’s always marked with controversy from the sacking of the governor of the bank of Nigeria after unveiling massive corruption to the hijacking of secondary school girls from Chibok not to mention oft-Boko Haram attacks on innocent Nigerians. This heinous act, if anything, seems to be the straw that will surely break the camel’s back. For, the abducting of Chibok girls exposed Jonathan more than anything in his tenure as president. And truly, during this carnage, Jonathan did not display any notable leadership. So this is likely to play in the hands of his political enemies in the campaigns. While Banda was defeated by another Mutharika, it is not clear as to who will unseat Jonathan. What is clear is that Jonathan won’t return to office shall thing remain as they are currently.
Under Jonathan, Nigeria evidenced doom and gloom sort of atmosphere just like Malawi evinced the surge of corruption prominent one being cashgate that saw Joyce Banda bundled out of power through a ballot box.
If anything, nothing creates fear in African rules just like elections especially when it free and fair. This is where Banda’s political demise was marked. Now that next year is an electioneering year in Nigeria, those who bother to look at the pros and cons of things are ready speculating that Jonathan surely or possibly will reap what Banda did. They don’t just say so. They surely have strong and convincing reasons.
Under Jonathan Nigeria succeeded to do one thing, to unseat South African economically. Again, looking at the flip side, Jonathan’s fate-cum-plight looks grim. He’s this corruption scandal involving billion of dollar as it was unearthed by the emir of Kano His Highness Lamido Sanussi former Governor of Nigerian Central Bank whom he sacked as he accused him of “ financial recklessness and misconduct” for leaking the news. The sacking of Sanussi caused a big dent on Jonathan’s administration as far as the whole issue of fighting corruption is concerned. Jonathan’s admin’s nary furnished Nigerians even the world with convincing explanations of what actually took place. Though Sanussi’s revelation is not cashgate, it looks exactly like it and its repercussions are likely to be the same as far as race for presidency is concerned. So, corruption, just as it was for Banda, is suspected to be one of the reasons that will see the exit of Jonathan.
Apart from corruption, insecurity seems to loom over Nigeria. The hijacking of over two hundreds girls from Chibok, if anything, will go down with Jonathan who failed to stand and guide the nation through this heart-breaking period. To make matter worse Jonathan’s wife Patience came in with all pretentious hallmarks. She tried to no avail to invoke all charms. “Oh Chai there is God ooh!” oh child there is God. This is the famous mark she’ll leave behind come next general elections. If Jonathan isn't changing the course of things today chances of being elected are slim. We evidenced it in Zambia where Rupiah Banda who took over after the death of Levy Mwanawasa was whitewashed just like his namesake in Malawi recently.
Goodluck can’t depend on good luck but his performance. Will he rejoice or end up becoming a half term president?
Suffices it to say, Jonathan, just like Banda, is likely to reap what he sowed come next general elections. Again, there is a very big lesson in the political lives of these two presidents who came to power accidentally after the deaths of their bosses. One’s Joyce who didn’t rejoice and another is Goodluck whose luck’s not that good especially at this time around when Africa’s proved how she hates impunity and venality. Will Nigeria’s Jonathan become another Malawi’s Banda?
Source: African Executive Magazine June 25, 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment