By Adisa Adeleye
President Jonathan‘s Heavy Burden
Last week, I wrote on those who are expected to transform Nigeria into a united and prosperous country from the amalgamation of unequal ‘nations‘ divided by ethnic, religious and political interests. 

Perhaps I was carried too far by the reported earlier statement of the President that ‘JEGA, NNAJI and I will change Nigeria‘.

I have to revisit the reported statement of President Jonathan to assure myself that I am not carrying the President‘s goodluck to the extreme in my understanding of the reality of the current situation.

The President said, ‘I believe that Prof. Jega, Prof. Nnaji and myself have a work to do for our dear land. And, in the remaining months between now and May 29, next year, let us tell Nigerians that this is a different government‘.

A miracle within a year.  I have been advised to adopt the concept of cautious optimism on political statements made by politicians in unguarded moments of adulation.  These statements are not meant to be kept.

Many questions come to mind in a realistic evaluation of political statements for the gullible masses.  The questions deal mainly with the presence of infrastructural platforms of which the expected miracles are based.

For example, how possible is it for a credible election within a year without a credible voters‘ list, published and revised or a new legal framework to direct the new Chairman of INEC!  Is it possible to transform the generation of power from 3,700 M/W at present to 10,000 M/W in a year with dilapidated equipment?

Is it that we are being taken for a ride by somebody with good intentions?  The puzzle is becoming more intriguing to my simple mind.

Amidst the perplexing and confusing states of the Nation, eminent Nigerians have spoken openly on the way forward.  Prof. Nwabueze, a constitutional expert has suggested a ravaging revolution (which would be bloody) to wipe away our sins of corruption and mismanagement of all forms of resources.

He foresees a new generation of people emerging fit to be called Nigerians.  The eminent Professor, no doubt, is too distinguished and experienced to be accused of hallucination.

He has occupied eminent positions in the world of finance, and he is the head of the ‘Patriots‘ – a group of other eminent Nigerians interested in peaceful resolution of Nigeria‘s problems.

If in spite of this impeccable record and bloody nature of the Biafran conflict, the Professor still thinks of a bloody revolution, then something is definitely wrong with Nigeria.

It is well for another eminent Nigerian, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, a former ‘war Commander and former Defense Minister‘ to caution against a bloody revolution, which to him would be too ‘costly‘ in human lives and materials.

There is no doubt Gen. Danjuma has seen it all both in coups and real war.  As a rich retired army general, he would not welcome a bush fire that could devour the good and the bad, and especially the innocent ones on both sides.

It must be remembered that the French Revolution produced Napoleon, the army general, a war monger and a dictator.  Although Gen. Danjuma believes that Nigeria is not perfect, he thinks of a visionary Leader who is capable of fixing everything.

Perhaps the towering retired soldier has in mind, a Hobbesian ‘Leviathan‘ to whom all citizens would submit absolutely for security of their lives.  If the mighty ‘Leviathan‘ could not stop ethnic, religion, ritual and political killings, including kidnappings and armed robberies, then the contract of security between the savior and the citizens (under the fear of the dreaded State of Nature) is terminated.

The burden on the head of the present leader of Nigeria, President Jonathan is a very heavy one.  The truth is that ‘ALL IS NOT WELL‘ with Nigeria as pictured by the two eminent Nigerians (Prof. Nwabueze and Gen. Danjuma rtd) and many other Nigerians.

The solution may not lie solely in a philosophy of a bloody revolution or in the concept of a lone Leader, but perhaps in the vision of the people who would sit down calmly and deliberate on issues that would lead to unity, peace and prosperity.

If President Jonathan is going to fit into the role of that Leader (envisaged by Gen. Danjuma and others), he has to come out and face boldly many Nigerian problems, some complex and others difficult.

The promise of a new Nigeria (by mere words) within one year appears deceitful if not impossible.  Members of the ruling party know the facts; but blinded by wealth, power and prestige, they would prefer things to be as usual and the government to be in the hands of mediocre, howbeit, conscientious.

Perhaps the PAC (of which Gen. Danjuma is the Chairman and Prof Nwabueze, an influential member) would advise President Jonathan to forget about the 2011 elections and his candidature presently threatened by internal forces (some members, Northern PDP) and external ones constituted by ex military rulers with inordinate ambition and insatiable appetite for political power.

His main desirable Agenda should be ‘RESTRUCTURING OF NIGERIA‘ through peaceful resolution that would avoid future bloody revolution or the appearance of another military adventurer in the garb of a benevolent Dictator.

Thus President could become the father of a new Nigeria – a Statesman and not a party politician.

A bit of digression on Banking Reforms.  A news headline reads: ‘NIGERIAN BANKS ARE GAMBLING HOUSES ‘

‘For emphasis, the Governor explained that management of some of the respected banks during the period did not entirely raise fresh capital, but deployed depositors‘ funds through collusion with some Stock Brokers in buying their respective shares in the stock market and manipulating their prices thereby creating a bubble which would eventually burst with dare consequences – a situation he alluded to as similar to what operates in the casinos‘ – M. M. Abdullahi, Head of Corporate Communications in defence of the Central Bank Governor for referring to Banks as  Casinos.

Who would advise the Central Bank Governor to be less garrulous and concentrate on his ‘good work‘?  The sacked bankers are in court for their alleged sins.  Is there any hidden agenda?