Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his defiance of 'I had no shoe' theory

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his defiance of 'I had no shoe' theory

By Semiu A. Akanmu



Every political, apolitical and partisan citizen owns his intellectual arsenal and does the anthropological analysis of the surrounding circumstance that results in the emergence of the political leadership at every point in time. It is quite interesting that no matter how disparate these citizens' conclusions are, it is significantly correlated to the class of citizen the individual 'analyst' is, and a refelection political sentimentalism.

Some analysis are conspiratorial; courtesy of the conspiracy theorists, while some are highly academic, and others are simplistic. The simply purported ones are the majority and the reflection of the reason that informs the political decision of an average Nigerian on the street. To this class of the people, political orientation comes from friends, close relative and public relation stunts. It is more wild and greatly influential in our part of the world, where collectivists' culture rules.

To the observing Nigerians, the non-partisan, the innocent souls who painstakingly labour to exercise his civic right by obtaining Voters' Identity card, queuing in scorching sun with an undaunted hope and voting to ensure his heart desire becomes the leadership structure in person, and subsequently in policies is the farthest journey they can go. Sincerely, every President that had been emerging since 1999 has his emerging circumstance. It is this circumstance that destiny played through, and their leadership tenure is experienced.

To the majority, Olusegun Obasanjo came as a consolation to the Yorubas after the mysterious killing/death of MKO Abiola, his second tenure was 'majorly' believed to be a product of high-handed and professional rigging. After the punctuated Aremu's third term agenda, Late Umar Yaradua was given the mandate to lead. Then, Dr. Ebele Jonathan after a series of luck-interventioned promotions got himself the Vice Presidential seat, Acting President and finally the President when the last characteristics of living thing; Death (as taught in those days of Biology) was experienced by Mr. Yaradua.

The expiry of the tenure that brought the duo (late Umar and Ebele) in 2011 necessitated a re-election having Dr. Jonathan as the Presidential flag bearer. Thus, elections and campaign by its circumstance and nature by default start sweeping emotion more, with little or no manifesto. Evasion of presidential debate is an evidence to buttress this policy vacuum of the Ebele's campaign agenda. However, the emotion that took over the majority of Nigerians innocently did not come magically. The play and toss of decision making that misdirected their thumbs to thumbprint for the 'umbrella' did not just evolve. It was magnificently induced within the theoretical framework of 'I had no shoe'.

The theory of 'I had no shoe' is a theory that entrenches poverty-stricken background as a variable, it contains human face policies, it poses expectation of masses-based economy and its preaches fairness and equity to all. It is mounted on the framework of being raised from shillings and with dream and 'luck' to start earning pounds. It is expected that any concept to stem out of this theoretical framework will be in consonance and alignment with the variables that the theory of 'I had no shoe' enshrined.

Unfortunately, Dr. Azikwe Ebele Jonathan is his consistent exhibition of 'luck' has created another research gap by defying all these variables despite all present to discharge expectantly what will be in conformity with his success' circumstance, the poll victory victim of 'I had no shoe'. The subsidy removal was the first defiance indicator, series of shown of profligacy, 100% tolerance for corruption, 'I don't give a damn' antics, prodigal expenditure on the nation's cemetery in the name of centenary, banquet hall project, VP sambo house construction/ re-construction (pls, add to the list), and the recent First lady's pet project to gulp a 'token' of N40b.

Mr President has defied the 'I had no shoe' theory! We are earnestly waiting for the circumstance that will pervade the 2015 election scene. May be 'I am having more shoes'!!