Celebrating GEJ, The Hero Of Nigerian Democracy @65
By Sani Danaudi Mohammed
AREWA AGENDA – The Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR will continue to have his name etched in the memorable sand of Nigeria history, particularly the country’s nascent and fledgling democracy.
He continue to be remembered and revered as a hero who abated another second impending catastrophic civil war in the annal of Nigeria. This happened durning the 2015 presidential election, amid tensions and nefarious predictions of the west that the most black populous nation in the world was under the abyss of impending breakup and pogrom.
In the face of those predictions however, it’s worth knowing that today,we are stronger together and moving as one indivisible nation and entity, courtesy of the Standard set by one Nigerian who spoke in action that his ambition is not Worth the blood of any Nigerian.
The appointment of Attahiru Jega , a Former ASUU Chairman and a Professor of Political Science from Bayero University Kano was the beginning of the implementation of the nation landmark reforms in the electoral system. Recall ,on May 29th ,2007 when he and his
Predecessor Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua of blessed memory took an Oath of Office as President and Vice President.
They admitted Electoral irregularities and Promised to overhault the process to give the Nigerian voters the opportunity to exercise their legitimate voting rights without intimidation.The Inauguration of Justice Uwais electoral Committee reforms and their recommendations set the Precedence of returning full autonomy to the electorates with their PVCs and GEJ commitment in action led to the defeat of a seating President of Nigeria by an opposition political party.
Although,Late Yar’adua did not live long to fulfill his dreams but the saying that,the joy of a dying father is living behind a worthy successor.GEJ was indeed a replica of his late Boss as everything about these noble Nigerians is defined by passion,love and patriotism to their only country Nigeria as placing their personal interest over national interest was none of their character during their reign in power.
The introduction of the Card readers by the Independent National Electoral Commission by then National Chairman Jega was the beginning of the land mark reforms in our electoral system.This singular initiative minimized greatly elections fraud and reduced the power of Serving Political leaders to almost nothing by restoring the power of the votes to the electorates.
One of his speech that forced tears out of my eyes was the National broadcast after the March 2015 general elections.He said “I promised you free,fair and credible polls and I have kept my word”.This was when Nigerians realized they have lost a great man who have given it all for Nigeria to survived.This was happening at the time,free, Fair and credible polls was a parrot cry not just to the electorates alone but even to the Stakeholders.
On April 2nd and at exactly 17:00 (16:00GMT) when the editor of the BBC Hausa Service and now Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mansur Liman broke the story of the historic phone call from Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan to admit election defeat and congratulated the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
Surprises greeted the world and million of Nigerians that an election that is predicted to breakaway the country has further brighten its chances of Survival as one indivisible country.GEJ phone call was a strong message to Nigerians that despite our differences in regions,tribes and religion,We can still reason together and take critical decisions in the National interest.
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As he clocks 65 years,Nigerians have continue to shower their message of goodwill,best wishes and prayers to the former President for leaving behind a lifetime legacy of free,fair, credible and acceptable elections in the eyes of the world which produced the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari from then an opposition All Progressive Congress.The world has acknowledged him for given the country an atmosphere of freedom,national integration and cohesion which resulted to an unprecedented economic growth during his term as President of Nigeria.
One of the most glaring achievements of GEJ is that ,He supervised and assembled a sound economic team that created millions of jobs.Key sectors likes Education was transformed with the creation of 14 Federal Universities, Medical tourism was minimal under his watch,Agricultural Sector got the basis needed support and interventions,Real Estate,Aviation,Telecommunications,Manufacturing,Oil and Gas as well as Electricity were given needed attention.He layed the foundation for the revival of rail lines and infrastructural revolutions and stimulating Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) leading to massive job opportunities.
The Nigerian Economy was the biggest in Africa which grew up with over $550 billion (largest in Africa and 26th globally).It is an unarguable discourse that former President GEJ handed over and left behind a working economy favourable to the downtrodden. Nigerians remember very well how the Price of PMS was 87,Exchange rate was 197 to an American dollar with an inflation rate of 9.01%.GEJ was the most criticized President as of then and today,he is the most celebrated and decorated Nigerian leader alive.This is the reward of serving with honesty, transparency and above all been God fearing especially when you know Power is transient.
As Nigeria heads towards another historic and most difficult elections in 2023 with increasing agitations for power sharing, inclusivity,equity, justice and fairness across the sections of the country.The clamour for free and credible polls is now the center stage of political discussion even at the popular Rumfan Mai Shayi (Tea Join) .Will President Muhammadu Buhari replicate Jonathan’s uncompromised 2015 elections? .
There are high anticipations that ,he will sustain the tempo of leaving behind legacy of credible and violent-free elections in 2023 as a beneficiary.The elections in Anambra, Ekiti and most recently Osun States,The signing of the 2022 electoral act that allows e-transmission (BAVAS) of results from the polling units,His Stands that Nigerians are free to vote candidates of their choice,none interference in his Party’s Presidential Primaries despite pressures from all odds are a clear mark that PMB is right on track to give the 93M eligible voters their choice in the next year’s general elections.
The only way and manner to shower messages of goodwill to GEJ is by sustaining his legacies as the basis of building the foundations for an emerging new Nigeria left behind our founding fathers.It was his commitment to a Peaceful process that he signed a Peace accord and as a President,He ensured that the election was not militarized and above all protected the rights of the citizenry.
The current Presidential Candidates especially the front runners such as Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Kwankwanso must ensure that as Stakeholders the next election is conducted in at atmosphere of Peace.They can do that by ensuring that their supporters play according to the rule of the game ,should attacks on the opposition motorcades continues unabated then President Muhammadu Buhari commitment to free, fair and credible process will be in jeopardy.
We are celebrating him today from the North to the South, East to the West of the country testified that GEJ is, indeed, a bridge builder, a peace maker and one who believes passionately in the unity of Nigeria.He believes so much in constructively engaging issues, apply mediation in resolving them than seeking alternative methods.This is why he is leading the entire African continent and the world as a Mediator and reconciliator to restore broken democracies since he left office in 2015.
Happy birthday to finest breed of Nigerian leader alive, believer and core defender of Democratic Values who is defined by integrity, insight and inclusiveness. May we live long to celebrate more of your adorable years ahead in good health Your Excellency,the hero of Nigerian Democracy.
Danaudi, National President of Arewa Youths Advocate for Peace and Unity Initiative ,Writes from Bauchi via [email protected].
