Jonathan not yet a hero By Habib Aruna

By taking one of the most coura­geous decisions of his life, Presi­dent Goodluck Jonathan once again became a darling of Nigerians. Currently, his popularity could indeed, be compared to the days that preced­ed the 2011 elections. The move that many saw as an icing on the cake, was the phone call he made to his main challenger at the polls and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Mohammadu Buhari(retd), conceding defeat.

Before the now famous phone call, the nation was under the cloud of un­certainty as there were speculations that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not accept the out­come of the presidential elections. What further gave credence to this conspiracy theory and made many Nigerians, both home and abroad, to stay glued to their televisions, was the erratic and unwarranted behavior of former minister, Elder Godsday Oru­bebe at the presidential election col­lation centre.

Apparently not comfortable with the results coming in, which showed that his boss was being trounced, Oru­bebe grabbed the microphone and accused the Chairman of the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commis­sion (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega of bias. Orubebe who was also one of the agents of the PDP at the centre, said they had it on good authority that Jega was working for the APC, adding that his refusal to deal with the peti­tion sent to him was enough ground for them to doubt his independence.

In the full glare of global audience, the former minister shouted abusive words on Jega, but the INEC boss kept his cool. Few minutes after, Jega took the pain to explain what hap­pened and why the process, which he said has been going on peacefully should be allowed to continue. Jega’s response which has become the envy of most Nigerians and one of the defin­ing moments of this election, doused the tension and made Orubebe look ordinary and dis-honourable.

It was few hours after that news filtered out that the President has reached out to Buhari to congratulate him, even when INEC was still waiting to collate results from the last state, Sokoto. In that unprecedented move, Jonathan etched his name in the an­nals of history.

The move, seen as unusual in this part of the world, was widely ap­plauded. Not only did it douse tension all over the country, it also places a burden on Buhari to reciprocate the gesture. More than that, it places the President on the same pedestal with his opponent. This was hitherto not the case.

Thus, rather than burning tyres and unleashing violence, youths in most parts of the country danced on the streets and celebrated not only Bu­hari’s victory, but the beginning of a new dawn. The masses of the people have won after an excruciating and vicious campaign that was character­ized by hatred and sparse on issues af­fecting the country. Even though this will be the first time the opposition would be defeating a sitting president, the courage exhibited by the Presi­dent moved him above the ordinary and solidified the nation’s democracy.

It was therefore not surprising that many are already describing the Presi­dent as a hero. Some even said he de­serves more praise than Buhari, the winner, and Jega, who successfully organized an election that changed the status quo. Methinks it would be premature for us to describe Jonathan as a hero. Statesman yes, for the way and manner he rose above his per­sonal interests and other mundane considerations to put the nation first; statesman because he demonstrated through his action that Nigeria can once again lead the continent morally, economically and otherwise; through his actions, he has shown that prag­matism was much more enduring than sheer opportunism.

I however find it difficult to pitch tent with those who hold the above position, because heroism is a much more profound word that should be associated with someone who sacri­ficed even his life to the betterment of the people and the interest of his country. A hero is someone who has been consistent and brave on matters that affect the people and the country; someone who is naturally disposed to what affects the generality of the people and who is ready to make the supreme sacrifice to make it happen.

History is replete with this kind of people.

We have a man who is widely re­garded as the best Prime Minister of Great Britain, Sir Winston Churchill; we have Nelson Mandela, who stayed in prison for 27 years and resisted ev­ery pre-condition to be released until his people were freed. Aside being de­nied his freedom, when he came out and became the first president of a democratic South Africa, he pledged to serve only one term. His sacrifice paved way for a better future for his country and made him a hero.

Going to the United States, it would not be too difficult to classify the civil war President, Abraham Lincoln, as a hero given his contributions to stabili­ty and progress, in terms of upholding the principles of the rule of law. Abe as he was fondly called, risked every­thing including his life in making sure the most powerful country remained one. There are others like former Ghanaian President John Kuffour, Jo­hachin Chinssano, Patrice Lumumba, among others.

Hence, before we reach the con­clusion of calling President Jonathan a hero, it must be within the context of his commitment and sincerity to the democratic project. In that case, one can reasonably contest his quali­fication because his adherence to the above is in doubt. Yes, he came out briskly to concede defeat against all expectations, but by planting land­mines and using the instrumentalities of state to suppress opposition, he cannot be a hero.

He might have easily qualified as one if he had demonstrated enough com­mitment and sincerity ab initio and cap it all with an abiding faith on the outcome of the polls. Understandably, his supporters went to town flaunting his credentials, they however need to be reminded that their principal was faced with little choice than to face the reality, which is that he has lost the election and he conceded.

Even at that, he already had a place in history, but to call him a hero would be antithetical to the facts on ground. History will judge him well!

SUN

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