Last Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu made a curious
allegation: that the world is
conspiring to get him out of office.
The Israelis are going to the polls on
March 17, eleven days before
Nigeria’s election.
“It is a very tight race,” Reuters
quoted Netanyahu as saying.
“Nothing is guaranteed because there
is a huge, worldwide effort to topple
the Likud government.” Nigerian
President Goodluck Jonathan has not
expressed a similar sentiment, but
one has to wonder whether the
beleaguered fellow doesn’t feel the
same way.
Jonathan and Netanyahu are facing
some political parallels. They both
head political parties that seemed
invincible not long ago. Then in both
cases a coalition of opposition
parties emerged to pose a formidable
challenge. What the All Progressives
Congress is to the Peoples
Democratic Party in Nigeria, the
centrist but slightly more liberal
Zionist Union party is to the Likud
party in Israel.
Netanyahu didn’t explain what lead
him to conclude that the whole world
is conspiring to oust him and his
party. Might it be intelligence from
the highly touted Israeli intelligence
agency, Mossad? Might it be the
increasingly strained relationship
with the U.S. President Barack
Obama’s administration? Or the rising
voices of displeasure with his
policies coming from European
capitals?
Along with the Obama administration,
Europe seems finally to be losing
patience with Israeli intransigence in
peace efforts, and Netanyahu is its
current embodiment. For long his
aggressive policy of creating Jewish
homelands on Palestinian territories
was evidence enough that he had no
plans to grant the Palestinians their
own state. Yet the United States and
European powers pretended that
Israel was negotiating in good faith.
With the approaching election,
however, Netanyahu jettisoned all
pretences. He announced last
Sunday that his Likud government
has no plans to cede any portions of
the West Bank to the Palestinians.
Along with Gaza, the West Bank
happens to be the prime territory for
any Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has intensified
his quest to scuttle ongoing
negotiations to keep Iran’s nuclear
programme from turning into a bomb
producing facility. He would rather
that the United States resort to
bombing those facilities immediately.
And he has repeatedly threatened
that Israel would do it if the United
States doesn’t.
Netanyahu took that argument to the
U.S. Congress recently in an event
that violated all diplomatic protocols
and created further tension with the
Obama administration and many
more. He was invited to speak by
Congressional Republicans who
never seem to forego any opportunity
to thumb their noses at Obama. The
invitation was issued without
consultation with the presidency or
use of normal diplomatic process.
And so Netanyahu’s long-resented
bellicosity has apparently stirred a
lot more ire. So when he said that
there was global effort to have him
defeated, he was not entirely wrong.
He was exaggerating, however, to stir
his supporters’ passion and get them
thronging to the polls.
The Jonathan case
Unlike Netanyahu, Jonathan is widely
seen as an amiable fellow. Still, he
too might have his grouse against
the world. He cannot claim a massive
global effort to end his presidency,
but he can definitely say that the
wind of opinion is not blowing in his
direction.
An indepth article posted online last
Tuesday by The National Interest, a
notable intellectual U.S. magazine,
was essentially a case for the
election of Muhammadu Buhari. First
there is the headline, “Muhammadu
Buhari: Nigeria’s ticket to a strong
democracy?” Underneath the headline
is a large photo of Buhari sitting
statesman-like next to the U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry. And
underneath the photo is this caption:
“The challenger to Goodluck
Jonathan could do wonders for
Nigeria.”
Much of the rest of the article by
Kevin A. Lees, a Washington-based
lawyer and political blogger, was
about the failures of the Jonathan
administration and why Buhari is the
probable answer. His major case
against Buhari was that he overthrew
an elected government in 1983, but
that was noted just in passing.
Though the magazine is not the voice
of Washington, it is quite influential.
And it is improbable that Lees’ overt
editorial doesn’t reflect broader
leanings. The U.S. business
establishment has hinted as much by
issuing a statement — out of the
blues — that it would have no
problem with a Buhari presidency.
The influential British magazine The
Economist even more pointedly
endorsed Buhari in an editorial that
ran on Feb. 7, one week before the
previous date of the election. To the
editors, the choice is between an
incumbent “who has proved an utter
failure and an opposition leader “with
blood on his hands.” And if they had
to, they would vote for the latter,
though “with a heavy heart.”
Then there was the U.S.
government’s shrill reaction to the
postponement of the election.
Washington doesn’t usually react
that way on matters involving
governments it is happy with. When
Egypt’s General Abdel Sisi sacked the
elected Brotherhood government of
Mohamed Morsi, for example, the
Obama administration refused to call
it a coup. It issued only tepid
statements about restoring
democracy.
The Jonathan administration must
have incurred Washington’s
displeasure by openly criticising it for
refusing to arm the Nigerian military
in their fight against Boko Haram.
And Washington doesn’t take such
criticisms too lightly.
Of course, Washington is concerned
about Buhari’s considerable
baggage. However, in his National
Interest article, Lees dismissed the
concerns as a “knee-jerk distaste.”
Washington has evidently come
around to seeing Buhari as someone
it can do business with.
Britain too seems to be sending a
signal that Buhari is acceptable.
Though unofficial, Buhari’s invitation
to speak at Chatham House in
London has all the appearances of a
feeling out occasion. Opponents’
claim that the visit was for medical
help is entirely plausible. It is within
reason that Buhari may have killed
two birds with one stone.
Lees writes that the trip is a “charm
offensive” to offset the “cozy
relations between the Jonathan
government and Western
governments.” If that is the case, all
Buhari needed to do was to flash his
gap-toothed smile and assure the
West that he is no Islamist, or at
least that he is a reformed one.
All said, whether Jonathan and
Buhari are voted out of office will
depend not on any global allignment,
but what the respective electorate
think is in their best interest.
www.punchng.com/columnists/punchwise/global-ploy-to-defeat-jonathan-netanyahu/

Na wah ooo. Everyone knows Jonathan is losing this forth coming election.

I dont believe Netanyahu will appreciate being compared on a political scale of any kind with Nigerian "clueless" Jonathan.

This is a disservice to Israel.

I pity you Nigerians when you are either sold to Nigeria's biggest landlord or sold to the western world..

GEJ's victory or loss is in the hands of nigerians and isn't subject to what america or other foreign countries think about him. GEJ's government refused to legalise homosexuality and has criticised US in some other issues and that's totally acceptable. That's a very strong legacy of this government. Nigerian leaders can't be pushed around by these western countries irrespective of our developmental flaws.

Now that my papa country U S A and my mama country jandon england have support u i will vote for u BUHARI

I don't like the Americans and the west, but the truth is you can't fight the whole world and win its impossible, well GEJ has sinned against God and man his cluelesness has earned him global disgust, so if the Americans will help us get the change we want I say there should be no permanent friends or permanent enemies only permanent interests

Jonathan is against himself, too Clueless, too corrupt, grossly inefficient..We seriously need change in our country...

Change is Possible i believe

#March4Buhari

I love the last paragraph of the story . Its the electorates that will determine who wins between Jonathan or Buhari and not the U S.

Eghosakelly:
GEJ's victory or loss is in the hands of nigerians and isn't subject to what america or other foreign countries think about him. GEJ's government refused to legalise homosexuality and has criticised US in some other issues and that's totally acceptable. That's a very strong legacy of this government. Nigerian leaders can't be pushed around by these western countries irrespective of our developmental flaws.

Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar Japan are all American stooges the ones that aren't Syria, Russia, north Korea look at what these countries are going through if you can't fight them and win why not join them its the way the world works bro

Godfullsam:
I love the last paragraph of the story . Its the electorates that will determine who wins between Jonathan or Buhari and not the U S.

Seconded

Gej is more clueless than netanyahu,both of them has fail economically,both of them blaming obama for their failure,both of them lack diplomacy and principle,both of them are rejected by their pple and internationally,nigeria is more lucky for having a better choice(buhari) to replace gej.

ibson99:
Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar Japan are all American stooges the ones that aren't Syria, Russia, north Korea look at what these countries are going through if you can't fight them and win why not join them its the way the world works bro

. Joining them shouldn't mean losing our sovereignty as a people. Nigerians must and should always have the right to decide what we want. It saddens me when US try to force their policies and decisions on other countries.

The same thing I said. The US and EU has decided Jonathan must go. That is why the Economist and New York Times provided their position for a GMB presidency.

-CramJones

Hmmmm Lets se who wins

Jonathan abysmal regime remains a real threat to stability in West Africa, it would worry any individual that a regime that is poor on security and good on corruption and poverty be allowed to continue on the trajectory it wants to lead Nigeria to!

Since oga Jonah has gone to Isreal to spend some time with Benjamin Netanyahu, I guess the latter would be coming for a fishing expedition and holidaying in otuoke come April

The west only back you when it favours them not because it is right. A weak president that looked America in the eye and told them the truth is OK for me although I don't believe it is about the criticism alone. Its more about the Africom and the gay thing. It is also about the PIB and the western business interest. It is about the raw material initiative

agabaI23:
The west only back you when it favours them not because it is right. A weak president that looked America in the and told them truth is OK for me although I don't believe it is about the criticism alone. Its more about the Africom and the gay thing. It is also about the PIB and the western business interest. It is about the raw material initiative

it is more of GEJ's lack of leadership abilities, if he had provided good leadership and the people of Nigeria have come to see him as a true leader who meant well for them, no foreign power can disrespect and undermine his authority, cheers!

agabaI23:
The west only back you when it favours them not because it is right. A weak president that looked America in the and told them truth is OK for me although I don't believe it is about the criticism alone. Its more about the Africom and the gay thing. It is also about the PIB and the western business interest. It is about the raw material initiative

GBAM.

mamajohn:
it is more of GEJ's lack of leadership abilities, if he had provided good leadership and the people of Nigeria have come to see him as a true leader who meant well for them, no foreign power can disrespect and undermine his authority, cheers!

Mistake, Gaddafi meant well for his people but they removed him. Putin means well for Russia but they are against him. GEJ means very well for this country and your inner mind knows this

If it was someone else Buhari may have a chance, but with goodluck he is defeated again.

Goodluck is the moses that will bring in the Joshua of Nigeria

agabaI23:
Mistake, Gaddafi meant well for his people but they removed him. Putin means well for Russia but they are against him. GEJ means very well for this country and your inner mind knows this

none of them mean well for their country,or is north korea and syria also mean well for their country,where one man(president)become lord over his citizenry,like north korea and Gadafi case,putin case is diff,he is draging world power with american,gej own is just clueless,gej is just fighting himself,

agabaI23:
Mistake, Gaddafi meant well for his people but they removed him. Putin means well for Russia but they are against him. GEJ means very well for this country and your inner mind knows this

That GEJ meant well for Nigeria must be at the realm of conjectures because a president who meant well for his country will not be arming Dokubo, Tonpolo, Gani Adams, keeping Mrs Allison Madueke inspite of myriads of accusations of corruption against her, patronise dregs like FFK, Doyin Okupe and Reno Omokri who tell lies to keep him in darkness and look away when his own wife was announcing that opposition politicians should be stoned, if you have any other that depict "mean well", let me know, OK!

agabaI23:
Mistake, Gaddafi meant well for his people but they removed him. Putin means well for Russia but they are against him. GEJ means very well for this country and your inner mind knows this

GEJ is a disaster in human
skin!!! Am sure if your family members
had been victims of Jonathan's
ineptitude and corruption, you would
have a different view. Pls can you
mention the cardinal functions of
government and also tell us the ones
in which Jonathan has done well ? My
guy, it is bad to have bad leaders
but it is calamitous to have followers
who are so dumb as to suffer and
smile. If a person doesn't see
anything wrong in mediocrity in
governance, such a person should
not attempt to preach to others not to
air their views. A president under
whom a single woman claimed to
have spent 10billion naira to hire jets,
29billion naira stollen from pension
fund, military reduced to mere
political goons, billions of dollars
military budget shared among army
officers to bribe them for election,
hundreds of promising young girls
taken away in Chibok like fowls,
billions of naira waisted on electricity
and roads with the money finding it's
way to Jonathan and his cronies'
private pockets, total destruction of
our socio- cultural and religious
heritage by using huge bribery to lure
traditional and religious leaders to
turn their back against decorum, just
to mention but a few should be voted
out, prosecuted and be left to rotten in
jail. Ah my brother this criminal has
wrecked more havoc than you can
think of in your widest imagination!!!!!!

wwwkaycom:
GEJ is a disaster in human skin!!! Am sure if your family members had been victims of Jonathan's ineptitude and corruption, you would have a different view. Pls can you mention the cardinal functions of government and also tell us the ones in which Jonathan has done well ? My guy, it is bad to have bad leaders but it is calamitous to have followers who are so dumb as to suffer and smile. If a person doesn't see anything wrong in mediocrity in governance, such a person should not attempt to preach to others not to
air their views. A president under whom a single woman claimed to have spent 10billion naira to hire jets, 29billion naira stollen from pension
fund, military reduced to mere political goons, billions of dollars military budget shared among army officers to bribe them for election,
hundreds of promising young girls taken away in Chibok like fowls, billions of naira waisted on electricity and roads with the money finding it's
way to Jonathan and his cronies'private pockets, total destruction of our socio- cultural and religious heritage by using huge bribery to lure
traditional and religious leaders to turn their back against decorum, just to mention but a few should be voted out, prosecuted and be left to rotten in jail. Ah my brother this criminal has wrecked more havoc than you can think of in your widest imagination!!!!!!

You have an opinion and I will respect it but I choose to disagree your opinion. Saying that GEJ is a disaster in human skin is turning the truth upside down as long as his presidency is concerned. You are talking like someone who is based abroad forgive me if I am wrong.

You got to know about the corruption because of the FOI which he signed into law.

10 billion: Have you listened to her explanation as to why the agency has to hire private jet? If you have not, tell me and I will help you with information. If you have and you chose to be harping on it, Goodluck to you.

29 billion or 2 billion : The man involved in this was tried and let lightly by the court exploiting the holes in our constitution. Jonathan convened the national conference to review the constitution so that the loopholes that thieves exploit to go unpunished are plugged but APC refused to participate. Since the pension saga, a software has been installed to manage pension funds and pension management has been smooth and fool proof. I am sure you will not like to see such information

Roads: If you say that billions of naira spent on road go into private pockets, you are being sentimental because that is exactly what you want it to be not what it is. About 20,000 km of roads has been added since 2011. Assuming 1 km of road is built at the cost of 1.2 billion naira like some APC states, 20,000x1,200,000,000 =That translates to 24 Trillion naira. How much is our total budget for 4 years? highest has been 4.6 trillion. Total is less than 20 trillion which is less than the 24 trillion. No money has gone into anyone's pocket like you want to be.

Electricity: because you have not seen desired improvement in power sector does not mean the money has been squandered. There has been considerable improvement from an average of less than 10 hrs per day to over 15 hr per day. If you have built a house before, You will understand that after roofing, so much money go into the house without visible change to the building. We are at the stage
Chibok girls: A tragic situation. I wish they have been found but trust me GEJ is doing everything possible to find them. if you think he is not doing anything, well it is your opinion

I will suggest that you don't take everything you read against GEJ as the cardinal truth because you will be doing yourself a disservice.

mamajohn:
That GEJ meant well for Nigeria must be at the realm of conjectures because a president who meant well for his country will not be arming Dokubo, Tonpolo, Gani Adams, keeping Mrs Allison Madueke inspite of myriads of accusations of corruption against her, patronise dregs like FFK, Doyin Okupe and Reno Omokri who tell lies to keep him in darkness and look away when his own wife was announcing that opposition politicians should be stoned, if you have any other that depict "mean well", let me know, OK!

Baby, you are being emotional. Have you any proof that he is arming Dokubo, tompolo and gani Adams? In the West, companies and even governments recruit, reform and use them because of their expertise.

The Nigerian Navy could not deal with this militants because they know the creeks more than they do. They are in better situation to arrest oil bunkering. I have no problem in getting these guys involved because they the route. By the way security companies are contracted by the government in other countries. It is the current practice.

Since the woman said it, have you heard her say it again?

Those who live in glass house should not throw stones. I wonder what you have said about Tinubu who is a major APC financier ?

You actually do not have nothing against EGJ's policies.

Do you have any problem with his
Agriculture policies,
Education
The national scholarship for first class grads?
Roads and rail infrastructure and plan
Maternal child death indices which has reduced by 50% since the Sure-P maternal child programme was rolled out,
Auto policy
YouWin
Grad internship?

Sister ...there is God oo

Jesusloveyou:
none of them mean well for their country,or is north korea and syria also mean well for their country,where one man(president)become lord over his citizenry,like north korea and Gadafi case,putin case is diff,he is draging world power with american,gej own is just clueless,gej is just fighting himself,

He is not dragging power with anyone. He is defending his territory as a president of sovereign nation.

After the US succeded in removing Gaddafi, what is happening? Boko haram is strengthened because of the trouble in Libya.
I did not mention North Korea or Syria but UK refused to condemn the Syrian president.

During the Arab spring, Bahrain kingdom was in trouble but UK and US looked the other way. Saudi Arabia sent troops to help becuase they could be the next target. US and UK looked the other way because of their ties. In fact UK has military pack. In these countries, Saudi in particular, a woman who was gangraped was flogged publicly for going out alone without a man. US has said nothing. Women are not allowed to drive but when the King of Saudi died, Obama was there life.

Wake up my friend.