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The Last Temptation Of Jonathan

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16 years ago

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Like the proverbial cat detailed to watch over a smoked fish, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan could be faced with the challenges of several temptations to assume full control or not, since the constitution recognises him as the other part of the leadership pair in the presidency.

Again, whether to exercise powers derived from the directive by the president especially, when he returned to the country almost two months ago and declared to Nigerians through his spokesperson, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi that Jonathan’s should continue to attend to all state matters in the capacity of Acting President and Commander-in-Chief.

We are also reminded that right from the on-set, Goodluck Jonathan dilemma was almost a complete replica of Richard Nixon’s. We remember Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969), who was disabled on several occasions: by a heart attack in 1955; an ileitis attack in 1956, and a severe stroke in 1957. The first two attacks got him disabled for almost six months. A Presidential Assistant, Sherman Adams, took over the President’s responsibilities while Vice President Richard Nixon watched helplessly as he had no legal authority to take over and he had to be extremely cautious because any attempt to assume presidential duties while the president was still alive could be viewed as a coup de-e-tat.

For example, with the swearing-in of ministers  characterised by minor changes, it can also be safely presumed that while Jonathan was making most of the changes, he was following the laid down plans of the president. Many had talked of the plan by the president to remove former attorney-general and minister of justice, Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) from the revered office following controversies trailing some of his activities which has turned the Bar against him even though he was supposed to be the official leader or number one legal officer of the Bar.

The acting president implemented that decision after the first meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) over which he presided following the National Assembly resolution proclaiming him acting president. Also, President Yar’Adua was said to have planned that a holistic cabinet reshuffle would be carried out before he would celebrate the third anniversary of his administration. The new cabinet as planned by Yar’Adua before he fell ill, would help him to run the last stretch of his first term so that he could end the race powerfully and at least deliver some of the programmes on his Seven Point Agenda. The swearing-in of ministers which began with cabinet dissolution and nomination of ministers-designate was therefore in furtherance of the president’s plan.

Therefore, it is right to presume that Jonathan was faced with several temptations whether to write or rewrite a script which may not be viewed as a coup d-e-tat against a president that is still alive. The unknown part of the temptation or the unfolding game plan was whether the president would have appointed the same individuals that the acting president had put in the various positions if he was to be in charge of the cabinet reshuffle.

And since there is still no information to the effect that the acting president has met Yar’Adua since the president returned from Saudi Arabia, then it is doubtful that Yar’Adua has considerable input into the changes. There are also claims that the appointment of Murtala, the president’s nephew, as one of the ministers was an indication that the acting president had carried along the president in the changes. Perhaps another smart political move by the acting president for people not to view the changes as coup de-e-tat against the president who is claimed by a group of Islamic clerics that they visited and prayed with at the Presidential Villa, is the scheming out of coalition of parties on the ministerial nomination list.

The ANPP and PPA in the Government of National Unit (GNU), arrangement under the president had accused Acting President Goodluck Jonathan of scheming them out in the ministerial nomination. With the unfolding scenario, the acting president is engulfed in several thoughts. Again, he is not oblivious to the obstacle that will undoubtedly come on his way should the president shows up and revise the purported dumping of the coalition parties for ministerial appointment. Another temptation he may be faced with was the issue of his party dumping him for the 2011 elections, whether he is to join another party to complete his second term as president or become irrelevant after the 2011 elections.

What happen if the ministers do not perform the miracle expected of them to get another mandate from the ruling Peoples Democartic Party (PDP), in the 2011 elections? To confront the issue if suddenly President Yar’Adua shows up and appears in public and declares that he is ready to resume work.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan had nothing to fear as he was still writing the script of his principal. Besides, some of the changes in the ministerial appointment was to strike a balance so that nobody will view his action as a coup de-e-tat against his boss. The president if he shows up and publicly declare that he is ready to resume work, will also be cautious in making any pre mature and hasty change so that he does not further destabilise the nation. Because the ship of state has suffered a lot from his illness and the actions of the acting presideent have helped in steadying the ship  and giving it the desired focus.

For example, the sending to the National Assembly the unedited version of Justice Mohammed Uwais Panel on Electoral Reform. And the constitutional amendment that would institutionalise some of the measures proposed as part of the electoral reform is almost completed in the Senate. The House of Representative is expected to follow suit in establishing some of the measures proposed in the constitutional amendment. The governors have expressed their preparedness to work with their legislature to approve the amendment in the second week of this month. After this, the Electoral Act of 2006 will also be amended to pave way for a re-brand electoral process. All these are means to actualise the  president’s programme of political reforms.

Therefore, the acting president should not allow the temptation to take decisive actions to draw him back. He should know that some ministers on the last cabinet given sensitive portfolios did not meet the tall expectation of the people. The energy which governmental leadership should demonstrate was not there. You cannot point to four ministers who demonstrated zeal and fervour which could provide confidence to their country men that things are moving forward. So, let us have those ministers with sensitve portfolios that will deliver the core value of the Seven Point Agenda of the present administration.

Such ministers having realised that they have little time would have no option but to device short term plans to get the nation working. The acting president should no longer watch a helplessly as he has legal authority to act decisively to move the nation forward. However, he should be extremely cautious to take actions on safe ground so that he will not be led into more temptations.

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Opinion

Kudos  Gov Fubara

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Please permit me to use this medium to appreciate our able governor, Siminalayi Fubara for the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road in Ahoada-East Local Government Area.  This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the history of our communities and deserves commendation. We, the people of Ozochi, are particularly happy because this project has brought long-awaited relief after years of isolation and hardship.
The expression of our traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Prince Ike Ehie, JP, during the inauguration captured the joy of our people.  He said, “our isolation is over.”  That reflects the profound impact of this road on daily life, economic activities, and social integration of the people of Ozochi and other neighbouring communities. The road will no doubt ease transportation, improve access to markets and healthcare, and strengthen links between Ahoada, Omoku, and other parts of Rivers State.
The people of Ahoada, Omoku, and indeed Rivers State as a whole are grateful to our dear governor for this laudable achievement and wish him many more successful years in office. We pray that God endows him with more wisdom and strength to continue to pilot the affairs of the state for the benefit of all. As citizens, we should rally behind the governor and support his development agenda. Our politicians and stakeholders should embrace peace and cooperation, as no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of conflict. Sustainable development in the state can only thrive where peace prevails.
Samuel Ebiye
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Opinion

… And It Came To Pass

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Quote:“Leadership is not measured by how hard one strikes back, but by how steady one remains under provocation.”
Tell it  in Rivers State, publish it  in the streets of Port Harcourt, so  the daughters of the State could rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph and know that Fubara is not vindictive”. And it came to pass that Rivers State emerged from one of the most delicate chapters in its political journey, the period of emergency rule that spanned from March 18 to September 18, 2025. It was a season that tested institutions, strained loyalties, and exposed the fragile balance between power and principle. During that time, the suspended Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara DSSRS, was widely believed to have suffered not only political setbacks but personal betrayal, allegedly from some top civil servants within the state apparatus. These were individuals expected to uphold neutrality and professionalism, yet were accused in public opinion of taking sides against the very government they served.
As the emergency rule ended and Governor Fubara resumed office, expectations were shaped less by policy and more by emotion. Many assumed that revenge would quietly find expression through governance. The loudest suspicion centered on the 2025 Christmas bonus of ?100,000 traditionally paid to each worker. The thinking was simple and cynical: a wounded governor would surely withhold goodwill. Some voices even mocked workers  openly hoping that the governor would refuse to pay the bonus. To them, denial of the bonus would serve as proof of political strength and justified retaliation. In reality, such thinking revealed a troubling desire to see governance reduced to personal vendetta. Yet,  it came to pass, the governor chose a path that confounded suspicion. Against all expectations, the 2025 Christmas bonus was paid.
That single decision quietly but firmly reframed the narrative. It showed a leader focused on governance rather than grudges, on institutional continuity rather than emotional satisfaction. The payment was not a favor, nor was it a concession; it was a statement that public administration must rise above personal injury. By honoring the bonus, Governor Fubara demonstrated that leadership is not measured by how hard one strikes back, but by how steady one remains under provocation. He made it clear that workers’ welfare would not become collateral damage in political disagreements. This action also served as a moral rebuke to those who celebrated division and hoped for punishment. Governance is not validated by the suffering of workers, nor is leadership strengthened by withholding entitlements. At the same time, the issue of alleged sycophancy and betrayal within the civil service cannot be brushed aside. If proven, such conduct deserves firm, lawful, and institutional correction. Civil servants are bound by duty to the state, not to political conspiracies or shifting loyalties.
However, justice must never be confused with revenge. The strength of governance lies in correcting wrongs without destroying the system itself. Governor Fubara’s restraint suggested an understanding that the future of Rivers State mattered more than settling scores. For workers, this moment carried an important lesson. Celebration should be rooted in good governance, not in the expectation of another’s downfall. Rejoicing in rumors of denial or punishment undermines the very stability that protects workers’ welfare. Public service thrives where professionalism, mutual respect, and accountability are upheld. Pettiness, gossip, and political scheming only weaken institutions and erode trust. History often remembers leaders not for the crises they inherit, but for the character they display in response. In paying the 2025 Christmas bonus, Governor Fubara chose legacy over impulse, maturity over malice.
And so, it came to pass that focus defeated revenge, governance triumphed over bitterness, and Rivers State was reminded that true leadership is proven when restraint is expected least but delivered most. Beyond the symbolism of the Christmas bonus lies a deeper question about the kind of political culture Rivers State intends to cultivate in the years ahead. Periods of emergency rule, anywhere in the world, often leave behind residues of suspicion, fear, and silent realignments. Institutions do not emerge untouched; individuals recalibrate loyalties, some out of conviction, others out of self-preservation. What distinguishes stable democracies from fragile ones is not the absence of such moments, but the discipline with which leadership manages their aftermath. River.
King Onunwor
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Opinion

That Withdrawal of Police   Orderlies  From VIPs

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Quote:”Balancing VIP security with public safety remains a tightrope walk in a country where the majority of citizens are still under-protected.”
The Presidential announcement on the removal of police orderlies from persons in authority and their relations  ( Very Important Persons ) last month came as a relief to many Nigerians who felt deprived    of one major  role of government ; security of lives and property.The higher  population of Nigerians  missed needed security because the VIPs and the VVIPs kept  retinue of Police Officers  totalling over 100 ,000 to  themselves and their family members as if they are all that matter  while some  communities under attack of terrorists  have no single unit of  police station located there in. While many hailed the announcement , some said perhaps the government has just woken up to her major responsibility of securing the lives and property of all  citizens while many expressed indifference on the note that it may be one of those pronouncements which come only in words but no action .Many keep their fingers crossed watching how it will play out , how Mr President  will  go about the implementation of the seemingly dicey  policy .
Benjamin Franklin  said “well said is better than well done ”  It is sufficient today to say that many Nigerians including me are still waiting and watching to see  how well  and how long this  return  of the Police service to the ordinary people will go . Wishing hopes will not be crashed ,  It  is note worthy, that  the recent complaints by the VIPs of being exposed to attacks  may in a way affect the action on implementation. Recently, at Senate plenary , another worrisome  angle came up as Senator Abdul Ningi  coming through a motion    disclosed that he had only one police officer attached to him ( his office ) and that  the officer was recalled the week before following  Mr President’s directive  . Senator Ningi said the withdrawal exposed him to high risks but underscored the angle that while his orderly  was recalled , many other politicians , men  and women in authority, business concerns   foreigners  and even children of some  VIPs are still enjoying retinue of police protection ( officially attached to them ).
 It’s note  worthy also that the Deputy Senate President , Distinguished Senator Jibrin Barau,  who presided  over  the session revealed that the  leadership of both chambers are already in discussion with President Tinubu on the need  to exempt  the law makers  from the new policy .  Senator Ningi may not be  wrong . After all he emphasized he is okay  provided that the removal of the Police Orderlies be done across board . Senator Barau noted that talks are on  over the issue of law makers’    in line with international practice . Further details from the Presidency  noted  that   Presiding officers  will retain their  police officers ,  others would have Civil Defense  officers ( NSCDC) as orderlies while  any other VIP who feels he or she deserves personal police protection should get clearance from  his office . In the midst of all  issues weighing in on the proper implementation , it becomes necessary  to bear in mind that  the decision  hinges on  the realization that Nigeria has peculiar security issues (of kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism.) and that  majority of Nigerians   are under protected.
More so, that if well  implemented, Police officers will focus on core duties; even as 30,000 new police officers are to  recruited to enhance security .That implementation  must be made in a  way that leaves no room.for selective  treatment loss of confidence  and  controversies.  Looking at previous attempts of  implementation  of this policy  gives faint hope  as several  attempts consistently failed . Former  IGPs like Tafa Balogun (2003), Ogbonnaya Onovo (2009), and Ibrahim Idris (2018) tried  the policy but all  failed due to political resistance from various angles. All the failed attempts  were tied to lack of political will  mostly due to the fact that the directives came from police chiefs, not the president. Selective Enforcement was another killer to the policy  as  partial implementation  met  resistance   and   later  reversal . Egbetokun (2023) and Adamu (2020) saw minimal impact.
Further more entrenched corruption in the system saw  Politicians and VIPs quietly regain police escorts due to ‘transactional economics”and pressure. Worse still the mindset of the  police officers  withdrawn didn’t help the policy Underpaid police prioritize VIP duties for extra benefits. Many wish President Tinubu’s move can  break this cycle.  As at today, he  still  insists the move is non-negotiable while stressing collaboration with states to upgrade training facilities. As citizens look forward to  success of the policy  without undue exposure of both sides, balancing VIP security with public safety remains a tightrope walk. Talk fades ; action echoes.  How the Presidency  implements this policy.  has  much to tell on the governments stand on national / community  security , choice of priority and the ability to   stand uncomprised . The known  goal is clear:  The outcome is  not yet certain.  Fingers crossed , we await . Definitely , time will tell.
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi.
s State stood at such a crossroads in September 2025. The temptation to rule with a long memory and a heavy hand was real. Yet, the choice made signaled a preference for healing over hardening. Leadership after crisis demands more than administrative competence; it requires moral clarity.
 Governor Fubara’s decision reminded the state that authority is not best exercised through silent punishment or selective generosity. Rather, it is strengthened when rules remain rules, irrespective of personal injury. By keeping faith with workers, the government preserved an essential firewall between politics and public service. That firewall, once breached, turns governance into a battlefield where livelihoods become weapons. Rivers State narrowly avoided that descent. In doing so, it affirmed that institutions must outlive tempers, and governance must not mirror the bitterness of political seasons. This moment also invites sober introspection within the civil service itself. Allegations of partisanship, if left unresolved, corrode professionalism and weaken public confidence. A civil service that drifts into political camps loses its moral authority and operational effectiveness.
Therefore, reform, where necessary, should be guided by due process, transparency, and institutional review—not whispers, witch-hunts, or mob verdicts. Accountability strengthens systems when it is fair; it destroys them when it is arbitrary. The restraint shown by the executive places a corresponding burden on administrative leadership to restore discipline, neutrality, and pride in public service. For the wider political class and the commentariat, the episode serves as a caution against normalizing cruelty as strategy. The eagerness with which some anticipated workers’ suffering revealed a dangerous appetite for scorched-earth politics. When governance becomes a spectator sport where pain is cheered and deprivation is weaponized, society inches toward moral exhaustion. Rivers State has seen enough turbulence to know that stability is not sustained by triumphalism, but by restraint.
The lesson is simple yet profound: power is fleeting, but institutions endure; leaders pass, but precedents remain. In the end, the payment of the 2025 Christmas bonus was more than a fiscal act—it was a civic statement. It told workers they were not expendable. It told political actors that revenge would not be policy. And it told the state that maturity in leadership is not weakness, but strength under control. In a climate where many expected fire, restraint prevailed; where bitterness was predicted, balance emerged. Thus, Rivers State was offered a rare reminder that governance, at its best, is an act of discipline, and leadership, at its highest, is the courage to rise above provocation.
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