President Goodluck Jonathan, stole into the Nigerian political scene with a deceptive, cool but calculating ambiance. His 2011 campaign theme: A breathe of fresh air,' was all over the place as majority of people were feeling the burden of 50 years of independent nationhood of stagnation and reverse motion.
Nigerians thought rightly too that they could really do with some 'breathe of fresh air', but how wrong we all were. Almost four years into his tenure, and six years on the saddle as president of the most populous nation with African population, he has failed to live up to the people's expectation. But curiously, he still expects a return to power via the people's mandate in 2015.
But what were Nigerians expectation of the Jonathan presidency?
No much! Nigerians are easy going folks. They expect their governments to provide them basic necessities of life...minimum 16-hour daily power supply, good roads, affordable automobiles, clean urban/rural transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, jobs, availability of food, a genial business environment for SME operation, less corruption, a secured society, good public schools, affordable and functional health facilities,
Unfortunately, the president has failed in all the indices of minimal living for Nigerians. He has also reneged on his promise not to run for the 2015 elections. Among other promises, he did also promise that four years was long enough time for any one to fix the lingering power crisis in Nigeria.
"If I'm voted into power, within the next four years, the issue of power will become a thing of the past. Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement, and if I can't fix power, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years."
This week, the media and social media platforms are awash with President Jonathan's famous quote as reminder of his blunder in agreeing to flattering calls to contest in 2015 by the army of sycophants also called Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN).
However, in fairness to the president, while he is lagging in almost every other areas including integrity, his administration has fared well in locomotive transportation. With massive funds injection and Chinese technical assistance, the rail system which went moribund since the 1980s have come to live once more.
President Jonathan, luckily is not the only one in the political news, as Major General Mohammadu Buhari's declaration at the Abuja Eagles Square to contest the Presidential election, his third attempt has also generated much heat.
Respected Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, reminded the retired General and former military Head of State, to withdraw his candidacy to avoid dire consequences. Sheikh Gumi, reminded Buhari that there would be bloodbath again should he lose in the 2015 Presidential election. The Islamic scholar whose popular father, the late Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, also warned the General against contesting the previous elections, noted that Buhari is now too old to run the country.
But just like President Jonathan, Buhari is made up and there is now "no retreat, no surrender" as the 1986 American martial arts film, featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme, suggests.
Although both candidates have not been officially confirmed by their respective political parties, President Jonathan has an head start after his ruling People's Democratic Party, (PDP) has publicly made it known it is up to the president to accept or reject his candidacy. Meaning, there will be no party primary elections for the presidential slot until he says No! which is unlikely.
Buhari, on the other hand faces serious challenges from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kano Governor Rabiu Kwakwaso and a horde of others who may join in the fray in the coming days. The former Head of State however, appear to have tactical backing of strong party faithfuls from the South West region and Northern mass following.
But whatever the outcome of both party primaries, it will be a two-horse-race between the president and the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in the 2015 elections.
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