Jonathan and the challenge of greatness

Every great action is extreme when it is undertaken.  Only after it has been accomplished does it seem possible to those creatures of more common stuff.

When Marie Henri alias Stendhal, the prolific 18th Century French novelist and essayist, made that statement he may have been obliquely referring to one of the myriad dramatic events of contemporary France, but in the process he also succeeded in leaving a profound statement of all time, that would have direct relevance to the just concluded National Conference in Nigeria.  Contrary to the cynicism among a section of the elite, a prominent participant in the national dialogue and Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Prof. Femi Mimiko is reported to have affirmed that the event was “no waste of time”.

The erudite scholar expressed optimism that the outcome of the confab, if implemented, would take the country to the next level.  Mimiko who played a key role as member of the confab’s Committee on Electoral Matters and Political Parties, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for convoking the historic meeting  and, more importantly, for having no hidden agenda for the programme.  He said the presidency at no time throughout the duration of the conference tried to influence deliberations either directly or indirectly, and in that way made the task less difficult for the delegates.  Professor Mimiko spoke at a reception organized for him by the University’s community in Akure.  He regretted that the Southwest delegation in which he served as Chairman of the Research and Strategy Committee was unable to push through the demand for regionalism because of internal disagreement.  Overall, Prof. Mimiko rated the historic dialogue a success.  And in fact, in spite of the fact that some of the major issues had seen the conference mired in controversial debates, not a few other credible delegates have vouched for the achievement of the conference, commending Dr. Jonathan for the courage to embark on it against all odds.

In a short telephone conversation, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, a chieftain of Afenifere, the apex Yoruba Socio-political association, agreed that in spite of its shortcomings, the confab was another feather in Jonathan’s cap and “a good thing for Nigeria.  Overall, the take of Mr. Odumakin and others I spoke with on the outcome of the event can be summarized in the words of Leo Burnett: “when you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either.”  Acceding finally to the confab, which he had previously rejected, may be attributed to first instinct, but in doing so President Jonathan may have been inspired by David George Lloyd, the great British Prime Minister who said that no man could cross a chasm in two small jumps and therefore we shouldn’t be afraid of taking a big step if one is indicated.  

Yes, in the face of unprecedented negative pressure on the tenuous chord of Nigeria’s unity by a host of centrifugal forces, especially the murderous Boko Haram insurgents that have not only targeted our fledging democracy but also the corporate existence of Nigeria, the sudden idea of the confab which Bishop Matthew Kukah metaphorically termed “a coup against opposition,” was rather a deft masterstroke by Dr. Jonathan because by that singular initiative he has been able to kill many birds with one stone.

Undoubtedly, the confab had real sobering and salutary effect on the National Assembly, especially the arrogant and ever-misbehaving Lower Chamber headed by Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, whose cavalier attitude to the job of legislation has been a matter for serious concern to close observers of the Nigerian Scene.  Did the Reps, in particular, feel threatened in the light of the mature performance of the delegates?  Well, one would not know, but certainly henceforth, they won’t carry on like before because according to an Igbo aphorism once you cut the beard of the he-goat its frightening facial appearance smoothens automatically.

Given the clear absence of any representative or spokesman for Boko Haram, the conference has proved beyond any iota of doubt that the murderous insurgency in the Northeast is a product of a diabolical conspiracy ostensibly inspired and nourished from outside the country.  This, therefore, is why Dr. Jonathan must now tackle the menace ruthlessly as a great challenge – a challenge to heroism and not heroics, and a challenge to real arms which every great president or prime minister in history has had to face at one time or another.  George Washington, a man who was shy and almost taciturn like Jonathan, faced it in the American Revolution and Abraham Lincoln subsequently faced it, too, in the subsequent civil war.

Ditto for Franklin Roosevelt, Charles De Gualle, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stallion, in World War II – a situation that shows that just as every kite requires a heavy wind or storm to soar, none of the great leaders of yesterday got there without debilitating challenges.  To be sure, somebody may be quick to tell us that Jonathan’s case is worse, made so by a variety of factors, including bad press, a relentlessly aggressive opposition as well as a hostile legislature.  And so what?  Are there no precedents, looking again into the past?  

Did Roosevelt and his New Deal not face a similar situation even in the Judiciary and did he not publicly threaten to “pack-up” the later before he was allowed a breathing space?  Today, historians rate Roosevelt only third to Washington and Lincoln in the pantheon of U. S. Presidents.

Today, even though the strident charge of non performance has since disappeared and the opposition onslaught is in vivid retreat with Jonathan taking over the initiative in all fronts, it may still be hazy to some people why any observer should attempt “to dream” that the man is about to take ranks with great presidents.  Anyway, there is a standard or a yardstick which has been touched on above, but which for the avoidance of doubt, ought to be restated even at the risk of over-flogging the point.  

According to Erwin Hargrove of Brown University, one of the attributes of greatness is an extra-talent of leadership in a period of enormous change in history to which a leader makes a creative contribution.  Each of the great American Presidents: Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Jefferson, Wilson and Jackson, was in power at a critical time in history and each came through with a lasting solution.  Above everything else each took the side of liberalism and general welfare against the status quo.  Each was often embroiled in fights with Congress and the Supreme Court.  

And each had a vision of the potential greatness of a nation that was essentially liberal.  Each had to work with a bad press and each faced the savage abuse of partisan rhetoric but in the end each was placed on a pedestal after death.

Godwin Nzeakah