Anyone who's ever had a window replaced will know how fresh glass easily trumps a bucket of soapy water for effect. A new window, apart from having that novelty about it, will always shine brighter than a washed-and-polished old one because those hard to reach corners will still harbour grime and those telltale rag marks and wet streaks will persist long after the window-cleaner is gone.
Right this minute, it would appear that Nigeria is getting a new window put in. Goodluck Jonathan has stepped into office albeit over the unfortunate remains of our late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua (R.I.P.) and embarked on a process of renewal: prominently Maurice Iwu was replaced as INEC chairman after a tenure in which he did little to distinguish himself; and a new cabinet was hauled into power. His actions appear glittering, and like a new window, they offer clarity, or do they?
Much has been made of Jonathan's unexpected individual approach to government. Many had thought him a shrinking violet placed on the Yar'Adua ticket by Obasanjo more for his lack of character and obeisance to the party elite than for any personal genius or charisma. In a few months, first as Acting President, and now as a sworn-in Commander-In-Chief, he has demonstrated that he is prepared to be more than a mere concession to the militant South-South and, by extension, a concession to all marginalised groupings and enclaves in Nigeria. He has installed himself as saviour of the power sector, declining to appoint any minister to cover that portfolio and presided over changes in the constitution that are designed to tackle an impasse of the sort faced by the country in the absence of the former president, should the unlikely scenario re-occur. Many have sworn that this is the shot in the arm Nigerian leadership has been waiting for. Suddenlywe are all sitting up and taking notice. What, though is there to see?
Even if your neighbours installs a new window to improve lighting in his home, it does not necessarily improve your own vantage point. The angle of the sun, or indeed its brightness (O the irony) will still obscure your vision and suggest the reality that the window was not changed for your benefit but for your neighbour's. These political calculations made by President Jonathan are yet to yield enough fruit to truly merit his administration a passmark and certainly not just for changing a few things around. Come next year he may still fall to the depredation of the ruling classes and may yet prove himself a puppet on the end of a string or else an uncontrollable leader who is only self-interested. His actions so far, despite their sheen, have yet to provide true evidence of the transparency that Nigerians everywhere desire.
So, with the announcement that Namadi Sambo, a little known political player from the Kaduna State seat of government, will be Goodluck Jonathan's nominee for VP (courtesy 234next.com), we must not stand back and marvel at this surprising pick and conclude that it is evidence that Jonathan is on the right track. We must still probe and wonder at the choice, whether it is Jonathan's attempt to emasculate the voice of the North in his kitchen cabinet by failing to pick one of the more powerful personalities or indeed the men favoured by the PDP inner caucuses. Why did he pass on Makarfi, Gusau and all the other frontrunners for the pivotal position which holds special meaning in the context of next year's looming elections which convention foretells will annoint a Northern president. Because what we need is not a new window looking out but any window looking in.
Abandoning the metaphors and the vitreous humour (hermetic pun intended: email this group if you need that explained), let us not fail to be vigilant and to continue to hold our leaders to account, whatever new spot of dribbling they engage in. Let us continue to strive to be Nigerian and get involved.
Right this minute, it would appear that Nigeria is getting a new window put in. Goodluck Jonathan has stepped into office albeit over the unfortunate remains of our late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua (R.I.P.) and embarked on a process of renewal: prominently Maurice Iwu was replaced as INEC chairman after a tenure in which he did little to distinguish himself; and a new cabinet was hauled into power. His actions appear glittering, and like a new window, they offer clarity, or do they?
Much has been made of Jonathan's unexpected individual approach to government. Many had thought him a shrinking violet placed on the Yar'Adua ticket by Obasanjo more for his lack of character and obeisance to the party elite than for any personal genius or charisma. In a few months, first as Acting President, and now as a sworn-in Commander-In-Chief, he has demonstrated that he is prepared to be more than a mere concession to the militant South-South and, by extension, a concession to all marginalised groupings and enclaves in Nigeria. He has installed himself as saviour of the power sector, declining to appoint any minister to cover that portfolio and presided over changes in the constitution that are designed to tackle an impasse of the sort faced by the country in the absence of the former president, should the unlikely scenario re-occur. Many have sworn that this is the shot in the arm Nigerian leadership has been waiting for. Suddenlywe are all sitting up and taking notice. What, though is there to see?
Even if your neighbours installs a new window to improve lighting in his home, it does not necessarily improve your own vantage point. The angle of the sun, or indeed its brightness (O the irony) will still obscure your vision and suggest the reality that the window was not changed for your benefit but for your neighbour's. These political calculations made by President Jonathan are yet to yield enough fruit to truly merit his administration a passmark and certainly not just for changing a few things around. Come next year he may still fall to the depredation of the ruling classes and may yet prove himself a puppet on the end of a string or else an uncontrollable leader who is only self-interested. His actions so far, despite their sheen, have yet to provide true evidence of the transparency that Nigerians everywhere desire.
So, with the announcement that Namadi Sambo, a little known political player from the Kaduna State seat of government, will be Goodluck Jonathan's nominee for VP (courtesy 234next.com), we must not stand back and marvel at this surprising pick and conclude that it is evidence that Jonathan is on the right track. We must still probe and wonder at the choice, whether it is Jonathan's attempt to emasculate the voice of the North in his kitchen cabinet by failing to pick one of the more powerful personalities or indeed the men favoured by the PDP inner caucuses. Why did he pass on Makarfi, Gusau and all the other frontrunners for the pivotal position which holds special meaning in the context of next year's looming elections which convention foretells will annoint a Northern president. Because what we need is not a new window looking out but any window looking in.
Abandoning the metaphors and the vitreous humour (hermetic pun intended: email this group if you need that explained), let us not fail to be vigilant and to continue to hold our leaders to account, whatever new spot of dribbling they engage in. Let us continue to strive to be Nigerian and get involved.
1 comments:
I'm not exactly in the know when it come to Nigeria's politics but I hear Goodluck is on the way...no pun intended. I wish him the best and I hope he can truly make a change in this short period. We're waiting eagerly.
Nice post!
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