The occasion was the inter-denomiational service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja and there the President finally lashed at his detractors.The second was the independence lecture at the Foreign Ministry auditorium,and there also there was no holds barring our President-he verbally dished it out.The President's grouse was about the negative things people say about his leadership and governance style.I say don't let that get to you Mr. President.Now, the critics say that much of the country is underdeveloped,I agree with that, but instead of play the blame game, I think they should give the President an encouraging pat on the back.It is not easy to lead a country of over 180 million people, who are culturally diverse as the fish in the deep blue sea.I hold no brief for thee President but I like to judge a man by his record.The editorial of the Guardian on October 6 said that "institutions do not exist in a vacuum but are animates an institution", I beg to differ on that.President Obama wasn't talking about concrete buildings, but more about the abstract aspects of democracy, like institutionalizing a good Constitution, an efficient Justice system and so on, it's not a bad thing if Nigeria takes her cue from the US.
On the matter that his countrymen deny him credit for good governance when outsiders praise him, I say that Mr. President should turn to the Holy Book, where it said a prophet is not honoured in his home,that happened to Jesus Christ.On the whole,Goodluck Jonathan is a new breed of politician who takes caution before he acts, and I think we as a nation should welcome such a change.After all, we clamour that we want a change in the way our politicians operate.
Finally, I think after all is said and done, history will judge the President right in all his decisions and acts.We just haven't got to that point yet.
Sign up here with your email