₦airaland Forum

doncartel:
It’s only natural. If Shettima takes over now and starts running a Boko Haram government, everybody will be missing Tinubu. Hope that explains why Nigerians are missing Jonathan.

OverCalculating:
Among many Nigerians today, there is a growing chorus nostalgically calling back to the era of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, painting it as a golden age—the proverbial El Dorado. But this romanticising of the past is deeply reactionary and dangerous. It ignores harsh realities and risks trapping the nation in a cycle of uncritical loyalty that harms progress.

Jonathan’s presidency, like many before and after, was marked by serious challenges. Yes, some enjoyed stability or developmental strides, but this era also saw systemic corruption, inefficiency, and the heavy-handedness of organized violence. Those who cling to this period as some form of paradise gloss over these truths, becoming little more than floatsam and jetsam—drifting aimlessly without addressing the underlying decay in governance and civic rights.

Organised violence—whether state-sponsored or through proxies—has often been wielded as a tool against the Nigerian people. It appears in various forms: suppression of dissent, electoral manipulation, police brutality, or intimidation of communities. The Jonathan administration had its share of such incidents, and remembering it as purely a golden era dismisses the suffering of those marginalized by these abuses.

As Nigerians, it’s crucial to resist the allure of nostalgia that blinds us to real systemic issues. Rather than harking back to any one leader or time as an untouchable high point, the focus must be on holding current and future leaders accountable and demanding meaningful reforms. These reforms should promote transparent governance, respect for human rights, and a genuine security framework that serves the people instead of oppressing them.

“Wake up Nigeria” isn’t just a call to reject past illusions; it’s an urgent invitation to action. It is a push to engage critically with our political landscape, to be wary of simplistic comparisons and sentimental longing for past leadership, and to demand better from those in power.

Our nation’s future depends on learning from history without being shackled to it. It calls for vigilance, unity, and courage to challenge those who use power and violence against us. Only through this can Nigeria move closer to the democracy and prosperity that all Nigerians deserve.

Written by Kolade Akinyele Abel

Kolade Akinyele is a passionate writer and brand analyst who believes that Nigeria can be much better than it is today. Through his articles, he shares bold ideas and practical insights aimed at sparking real change in how we learn, teach, and build the future. You can reach out to him via his email: abelakinyele@gmail.com.

DanielJones:
I see nothing different that GEJ wants to come and do again. Obasanjo was a Head of State under Military rule, he came back as a civilian president...what significant transformation did he make apart from securing the future for his children, grand children and the unborn children. Till now Nigeria can't be proud of constant electricity supply for at least 18 hours per day...all over the nation. Bad road, corrupt civil servants in every state, harsh government policies that kill start-up businesses, substandard education and shameful economy are still what we are battling with in the country. The same thing with Buhari PMB' administration...so what exactly does GEJ want to do again? Are there no more well meaning Nigerians that can blaze the trail? I want to believe that majority of those pushing the idea of GEJ come back are just the selfish politicians who benefitted grossly from the corrupt/clueless leadership of GEJ and feel no other president can be so loose for them steal from the nation's treasury. No more, no less

ebukal67x:
No one is romanticizing GEJ's era. We are simply asking for a return to the basics.

mrvitalis:
So we should vote Tinubu right?

odejimioflagos:
I think Jonathan’s time was indeed better than the current administration.

Anyone denying that is either being disingenuous or doesn’t understand Nigeria.

mrvitalis:
So we should vote And continue with APC abi?