JONATHAN @ 66: CONTEXTUALIZATION OF THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT IN THE QUEST FOR A NEW PARADIGM

By Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli,

The date 20th November would have remained like every other passing day but for the birth of a unique soul Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who was born into the families of elder Lawrence Ebele Jonathan and Mrs. Eunice Ayi Ebele Jonathan of Otuoke and Akipelai communities respectively in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on 20th November, 1957.

Although his birth was not significant or heralded with elaborate funfair at the then very remote Otuoke rural community because of the economic background of his parents who were average canoe carver and farmer, yet he grew up to manifest his destiny as one whose glorious light and destiny shall continue to illuminate countless lights all over the world.

Goodluck Jonathan’s consciousness and early awareness about the irreplaceable and indispensable place of education in the life of a people made him to strive to the highest level of academic excellence. His relentless efforts and sacrifices that resulted to his bagging of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Zoology automatically positioned him strategically for countless possibilities.

He is reputed for now as the only political leader that grew from the position of a State Deputy Governor to Governor, Vice President, Acting President and President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces within a space of eleven years (1999-2010). Barack Obama then President of the United States of America and other world leaders attested to the above fact some years ago.

But like every other human, President Goodluck Jonathan who is fondly called GEJ has a fair share of human flaws and weaknesses. As a humble, sincere, very accessible and unassuming leader, he has never portrayed any trace of perfection, rather he has maintained his humble and very peaceful lifestyle that endears him to multitudes all over the world.

The story of President Jonathan shall continue to serve as reference material and roadmap for students of history and societies that are striving for good governance. The ouster of GEJ is likened to the case of the Israelites who became tired of God’s benevolence with good leadership and they decided to demand for earthly king in place of divine kings that God always gave them and made them to prosper. The rest is history. We know the atrocities of king Saul and the Muhammadu Buhari presidency and the woes they brought upon the Israelites and Nigerians.

GEJ’s humility, peaceful disposition, anti-gay stance, his strong determination to eliminate the Almajiri system particularly the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor in Northern Nigeria and the country in general pitched him against the privileged class. Grand conspiracies between internal and external forces resulted in the outcome of the 2015 Presidential Election result.

Surprisingly, what the enemies programmed for the downfall of President Jonathan rather served as a channel for global honour and celebration of one of the greatest political leaders that the African continent has ever produced.

One author or book cannot capture everything about this leader whose personality has differed social construct. His story is likened to the Blind Men and the Elephant of Indostan.

Over the years, President Goodluck Jonathan has successfully INSTITUTIONALIZED his great name and students and scholars all over the world now study his style of politics which is popularly referred to as the ‘JONATHANIAN POLITICAL SCHOOL OF THOUGHT’.

Critics of President Jonathan are likened to the Blind Men who desired to have one on one encounter with the Elephant that they have heard so much about even though they were blind and could not see.

The Blind Men were availed the rare privilege and opportunity in one of the occasions when some persons were passing with an Elephant.

During the historic and memorable encounter, one of the blind Men touched the Elephant and said it was a Wall. The second said it was a Spear. The third said it was a Snake. The fourth said it was a Tree. The fifth said it was a Huge Fan and the sixth said it was like a Rope.

Thereafter, the six blind Men started quarreling themselves because each of them was trying to prove that they knew what they were talking about.

But sane minds with clear eyes know that the blind Men were totally wrong because Elephant never fix into any of the answers or descriptions that they gave.

The Blind Men never knew about Hippopotamus otherwise they would have even likened the Elephant to it out of their ignorance.

Wise people will liken President Goodluck Jonathan to a Dove which is the symbol of the Holy Spirit even though he as son of the most high God and the Ijaw Nation particularly with the baptism and covering of ENAI OGBIA and the spirit of Ogbia Brotherhood has traits of the unconquerable Lion.

The Blind Men during their arguments failed to see beyond their shallow mindsets, same way many who talk about development during the Jonathan administration fail to connect its Relativism.

But whatever is the case, the name: GOODLUCK EBELE AZIKIWE JONATHAN has become a household name and a recurring decimal especially in our polity. Those who fail to acknowledge the above shall continue to groan in avoidable pains.

The six blind Men represent the six decades that the Father of contemporary democracy has lived even as we march into the era of wisdom, maturity, awareness and self-realization when haters of truth and light shall acknowledge the special gift from Almighty God and learn how to humble themselves.

President Goodluck Jonathan is a special gift from Almighty God to Ogbia Kingdom, Bayelsa State, Ijaw Nation, Niger Delta, Nigeria, Africa and entire humanity. Those who love and bless are blessed, same way those who hate and curse him are cursed.

Overtime, it has dawned on the people class, elites, religious and traditional leaders, scholars and all those who strive for greatness especially in the Nigerian system that Goodluck Jonathan’s style of politics and leadership is the most suitable particularly for a diverse society such as ours.

A resounding Congratulations and Happy Birthday to my great father, hero, living deity, legend and hero of Africa’s contemporary democracy.

~~~ Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli wrote from the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja, Nigeria.