2015: Jonathan in the people’s court

Never in the history of Nigeria has a non-governmental organization, under the aegis of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria(TAN), moved with passion for the unrivaled good leadership precepts and love for the masses already evidenced by the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan taken up the initiative to guide the citizens ahead the coming 2015 general elections.

Apparently feeling what many Nigerians have noticed-that the numerous life-enhancing/transforming achievements of the president have remained unnoticed, unreported or intentionally disregarded, the international Nigeria-based NGO few months ago decided to take up the challenge.

So far, two out of its scheduled seven national rallies planned to hold at each of the nation’s geopolitical zones, with a grand finale scheduled for Abuja, have proved that the dogged determination of the group to showcase Jonathan and the gains of his transformation project is working.

The sleepy cities of Awka and Ibadan stood still when they played host to visitors from other South-eastern and South Western states namely Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo for Awka, and Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo for the Ibadan rally. The august visitors had one vision, mission and purpose— to ask President Goodluck Jonathan to seek a renewal of his mandate, having been adjudged excellent in his performance so far.

Just like in Awka, the people started trooping into the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan as early 7.00 in the morning which to certain extent demonstrated the importance of the business at hand. And by 10am the venue of the rally was already filled to capacity.

Understandably, because of the eminent personalities that graced the occasions, it was easily misunderstood in some quarters, especially the opponents of Jonathan, as political campaign rally. But the question that readily comes to mind is how could such gatherings be tagged campaign outing when even the principal actor was conspicuously never in attendance.

Because TAN has repeatedly stressed it is not a political group, and is not limited by any party, group or individual, and that the rallies were not planned as political outings took that message further. As a result, it could be seen that the gatherings were usually of mixed political, gender and ages colorations. Leaders of virtually all political parties in the country either attended or sent representatives. Little wonder members of the different political parties-the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), All Peoples Congress(APC), Labour Party(LP) the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and others were seen trying to outdo one another to make a speech at both rallies.

Millions who watched the event live on television admitted that even avid opponents of Jonathan attested to the fact that the nation’s democratic development has really come of age, now that politicians campaign for their perceived opponents. That by putting up appearance at all, the rallies were symbolic and pointer to the fact that the transformation agenda of the Jonathan administration has positively impacted on all and sundry of all political divide.

Category: NEWS