Jonathan’s Liver Problem: How
Severe?
Written by Adepoju Paul
Olusegun
Tuesday, 06 July 2010 21:53
In medical laboratory science, the
liver function test is a panel of
tests that is used to assess the
functioning capacity of the liver.
Considering the liver ’s central role
in several body functions,
regulations, synthesis and
homeostasis, it becomes
imperative for its function to be
assessed every now and then to
facilitate early detection of any
aberration that might spell doom
with poor prognosis if diagnosed
later. While this is true in medical
science, the principle also holds
sway in governance. In colloquial
Nigerian lexicons, ‘liver’ could be
used to describe confidence,
assurance, strength and boldness.
Hence when someone says “you
don’t have liver” he or she is
subjecting your self confidence to
question.
In politics and governance, it’s an
open secret that good
administrators and leaders, apart
from being good listeners, are also
individuals with big ego. Their
confidence holds sway, and their
dexterity gives followers the
confidence to keep following. US
President Barack Obama is a living
example of such.
At every forum where his
authority is subjected to extensive
criticism, his confidence always
bails him out. Even past leaders
that possess a rare blend of
eloquence and authority also
enjoy such devoted followership,
even when wrong decisions are
made. However, in President
Jonathan ’s case, same could not be
entirely said.
Like a pendulum in motion,
swinging to and fro, Mr. President’s
recent decision to rescind on his
former position speaks more of
confusion than respect for
Nigerians ’ opinions. The signs were
everywhere that the ban was
unnecessary and was seen in
some quarters as an abuse of
power. Yet he made the decision.
And as the Commander-in-Chief,
Nigerians trusted his instinct. But
going back on his previous step
makes me question his
Excellency ’s stance when tougher
issues are tabled.
Obama went after George Bush’s
jugular during the campaigns by
promising to bring back all
American soldiers in Iraq, and
Afghanistan only to get to the
Oval office and approve that more
troupes should be deployed. That
is like going back on his previous
stance when campaigning. Though
criticized at the outset, Americans
later got used to the fact that
lasting peace in the Middle East,
especially in Afghanistan and Iraq,
could ensure Americans’ safety.
Obama’s health reform bill is
another show of strength that he
has a perfectly functioning liver.
Criticized severally by the
Republicans and a handful
Democrats, Obama ’s health reform
bill at the outset looked as if it
won ’t see the light of the day. It
compelled the president to hit the
streets- going from Texas to
Houston, through New York
campaigning not for votes, but for
Americans to support the bill that
several Congressmen were
throwing punches at.
Political analysts saw Obama’s
plight as a test of his authority and
he proved that he was (and still is)
in charge by not withdrawing his
bill.
Hence I would like to ask Mr.
President a simple question- why
going back on your word,
especially one that was issued with
such confidence?
It’s supposedly becoming
gradually evident that it’s either
Mr. President is not getting the
right information, or making
decisions without extensive
consultations and evaluations of
the possible outcomes. Even our
national thugs in the National
Assembly know that banning
Nigeria from international football
would be a huge mistake. Why did
it take Mr. President more than 48
hours to realize this? What if it was
a war decision when a country
could be leveled in 12 hours with
nuclear weapons? Will he be
swinging back and forth like this?
Governance is expected to be
manned by men (and women)
with great ability to make the right
decisions with careful consideration
because national security depends
on their intellectual capacity.
Although we are almost 50 years
as a nation, the thinking processes
of our various governments
present us as toddlers in
democracy. They need to realize
that oscillation experiments are
meant for physics laboratories and
not government ’s situation rooms.
President Jonathan’s recent action,
although it’s a right one, brings the
roles of the various advisers under
sharp criticism. These are
individuals who are expected to be
giving the president accurate up-
to-date details on the situation of
things. They ought to be Nigeria ’s
thinking boxes that are worthy to
be studied as geniuses in our
various ivory towers. However,
like most Nigerians, I ’m suspecting
that they are possibly more or less
of political jobbers constituting
nuisance in our corridors of power.
Some things might be acceptable
on a personal ground, but are quite
ludicrous and phenomenally
absurd when they are associated
with a nation. Let ’s consider the
national embarrassment we are
now getting on the international
scene.
Newspapers, websites and foreign
correspondents are now running to
press with Jonathan ’s change of
heart. Sepp Blatter and his crew at
FIFA would crack jokes over our
national confusion. And Ghana and
other serious African countries
would take the shine off Nigeria
for presenting themselves as well
organized countries with reliable
individuals at the helm of affairs.
Furthermore, why did it take
Jonathan this long to ransack and
sack NFF corrupt chieftains when
all and sundry knows about the
cantankerous corruption in the
Glass House? Why didn ’t the
Presidential Task Force saddled
with revamping the national team
give Mr. President sufficient report
on the mismanagement of our 900
million Naira and what happened
to inter-agency incorporation that
enables every sphere of
government to report to the
presidency? Is it that the
government is so disjointed, in
disarray and not in touch with the
voices on the streets? Or was
Jonathan just taking decisions on
his own?
To all Nigerians, there is need for
us to reposition ourselves as the
real barometer that analyzes the
pressures around us since Aso Rock
is very far from us both
geographically and ideologically.
Let the congratulations over the
rescinded decision be short lived in
order to contend with the reality
that stares us which is Jonathan no
get liver.
I hope the President’s advisers
realize their mistakes. Nigerians
need them to always help Mr.
President make the right decisions
every time. If they can ’t, then we
are in trouble.

from kidney to liver,