Reading Jonthan's History
-by Adebayo Rasheed Mabayoje

In 100 hours plus from now, a line of Nigeria's political history would have completed a full circle- Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan's reign would have come to an end. But life generally ends not, at least for now.

Yes, life continues and one particular thing Nigerians and the world would expectedly be doing thence forth is to start reading GEJ himself. Jonathan's history would be read to him. History of a man is sweet to read when he is gone, and sweetest when he is still alive and he listens to the narratives himself. However it is usually unpalatable for him when he is "out of strengths to control the discourse"; especially because he created bad contents of his own history.

By this time next Saturday, Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke etc will all be out of office and they would not be able to control the new discourse that would be trending in the country, especially as it relates to the manner they managed the trust Nigerians kept with them several years back. They would no longer have the power to influence any officer who would have to provide information that would reveal why Nigerians have to suffer to get petrol, why Nigerians have to die for lack of security and good health facilities, why Nigerians have to die for lack of good roads, why Nigerian youths have to roam the streets after struggling to complete their education with no jobs... and some of them engage in crime.

However, it must be mentioned that the making of a film, novel and other intellectual works goes beyond characters in the plots of the work. It includes several other characters, such as the writer, publisher or producer, etc. In essence, the making of Dr. Jonathan's history that Nigerians and the world would be reading and interpreting after Saturday 29 May 2015, is not devoid of impacts of Nigerians generally. Impacts here could be positive or negative, active or passive, direct or indirect. There is no on-looker in this matter at all. In fact a supposed on-looker in a matter that directly affects him is quite dangerous! So we must infer lessons as this Jonathan's history completes soon.

Lessons to be learnt from this thoughts is for everybody to reflect on individual impact in our current status as nationals; right from individual homes, offices, community etc. Nigeria's next President, Muhamnadu Buhari cannot do anything for Nigerians unless Nigerians are ready to do something for the country. Yes, unless we are ready to genuinely act for the sake of the country and invariably ourselves change might still not be near. Jonathan got the way he is today, perhaps by virtue of the way Nigerians decided to be. The worth of the baker- I once wrote in an article of mine- is in the cake. Nigerians get the worth of their leader in the content of their individual character. On top of Buhari's esteemed integrity, Nigerians will get the type of president in him as much as the content and extent of our readiness to CHANGE our furtune from the rot that has overwhealmed us for too long. It lies in individual hands.