President Goodluck Jonathan specifying requirements for the nation’s enduring democracy.
Last week, this series ended with a poser, “how can we ever develop when every four years we go through the orgy of election induced violence master-minded by our political leaders?” In 2007, it was “do-or-die” according to someone who, if he were not the occupant of the innermost corridors of power, would have been considered fit for a straight jacket.

If I read you right, you said Jonathan has a way out if only he has the courage to make that choice…What is that way out? What is that choice he has to make before he goes far wrong, you owe the president and the nation the duty of stating the way forward. I say this because your views are always accurate! Austin Oti Obilor”

This column could easily have been entitled HOPE RENEWED IN JOS and it would have been just as apt. For three days last week, I was back again in Jos because it is an enduring story and it represents one of the many puzzles we must solve as a nation for unity and peace to prevail.

The most important question now is: what happens if the PDP breaks up? Before providing what I think will happen, just for now imagine what will happen when a 50-ton tanker loaded with fuel experiences brake failure while approaching a busy bus stop with thousands of people waiting for buses…

Abacha died unexpectedly, just as he was getting his political machine ready to become a civilian president through a fraudulent election. Yar’Adua’s death was protracted, and, to me, expected. It was really a matter of time before he passed on.