Without any intent of creating any gloom or feeling of pessimism ,the biggest problem facing Nigeria’s democracy at all levels is the obvious distraction of seeking re-election by all categories of elected political office holders when there are teething human capital and infrastructural challenges facing the nation.
It is even more worrisome that the re-election campaign bids are often orchestrated by political apologists, ethnic bigots and parochial Nigerians who put their sectional and pecuniary interests at the forefront without minding the obvious infrastructural decay and near economic collapse facing the country.
In as much as this piece is not delving into whether or not President Jonathan should re-contest Presidency or not come 2015, the worries however lies in the fact that the jostle for 2015 Presidency is already causing unease in the country, particularly in the Core North and the Niger Delta where President Jonathan hails from . While key political gladiators in the North have already made public their intention to stop any re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, other ethnic nationalities like Benin,Urhobo,Itsekiri,Isoko,Calabar,Ibibio,Efik,Esan and a host of others are already strategizing to frustrate any attempt by the President to seek re-election. The grouse of these Niger Delta ethnic nationalities is hinged on what they described as the ethnic card being played by the President after voting him enmasse in the April 2011 polls.
They are quick to point out that positions such as Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta , Minister of Niger Delta ,Minister of Petroleum and the DG of NIMASA are all occupied by the ijaws ,not forgetting to mention the recent award of multibillion naira waterways security contract to ex-militant warlord , Tompolo.
The recent media vituperations regarding the “just concluded” PDP congress in Delta State is a pointer to emerging frustrations creeping into the Niger Delta.
Little wonder most of the advertorials accused the Minister of Niger Delta , Elder Godsday Orubebe of single handedly choosing most of the delegates against the wishes of other key members of the Chief Edwin Clark faction of PDP. The push for another Ijaw State , Toru-Ebe to be created without minding the feelings of other ethnic nationalities whose lands will also be carved into the proposed state is also fanning the growing feeling of discontent in the Niger Delta towards the Jonathan administration .
Whether or not President Jonathan will be seeking a return to the Presidency come 2015 , the President should act fast by ignoring political praise singers ,at least for now and concentrate on people oriented governance as entrusted on him by a large majority of Nigerians and work towards convincing other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta via his actions that he is truly a statesman, Niger Deltan and a pan Nigerian President.