Why Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Must Bluntly Reject Presidential Ambition – Veteran Journalist

By Osazua Ivbaze

Dear brother Jonathan,
Former President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

About four months ago, I wrote you an open letter via social media platforms. In the letter, which I also posted on my Facebook wall, I pleaded with you not to allow yourself to be baited by the promise of a presidential ticket for the 2023 elections.

A friend in Yenegoa called and told me he would bring the letter to your attention. Another one in Benin assured me he had forwarded it to your Facebook wall.

I wouldn’t know If you read the letter or if you did , whether the appeal I made to you to stay off 2023 presidential contest attracted your consideration.

This second letter is provoked by recent protests to your Abuja residence by youth groups urging you to throw your hat into the ring for the 2023 presidential contest.

Sir, I must confess that I wasn’t happy with your response to their request. Whereas I expected you to be blunt in turning down their request, you promised to respond soon. Infact, though you spoke in ” tongues” it is not difficult to discern where your mind is on the issue
.
Those encouraging you to join the presidential race are not your friends and therefore do not wish you well.This world is a stage and we are all actors. You have acted your part as former President of Nigeria.

Today, you have a continental, if not a global reputation as the face of democracy– because of the manner in which you accepted defeat and conceded victory in 2015 polls. You are not an idle former president. Your democratic conduct has given you the political visa to visit troubled theatres on the continent to broker peace .And anywhere election is holding on the continent, you are made to head teams of international observers

God has done so much for you. Be grateful and don’t allow yourself to be used by those whose desire is to exploit your meekness for personal gains.

Today, we can look back and say life in 2015 was better than what we have today. Nigerians now know the difference between the economy under your watch and under Buhari who promised “change” and “next level.”

I think that’s enough for you.

However, if you allow yourself to be dragged into the presidential race, you will be embarking on a journey in which you are likely to end up in a mess.

Even if you win the election, Nigeria is so damaged now that fixing it is far out of the reach of your capabilities.If you come a second time, chances are that you will damage whatever modest achievement you recorded in your first coming.

I wish I had physical access to you. I really yearn for a one- on – one with you on this issue so that you may appreciate the depth of my worries.

Sir, you are not the answer to our present woes. Those who say you are on a mission to use you.

May God open the eyes of your heart so that you can see the intentions of those who want you back .

My regards to Madam and children

@views exclusive rights: Osazua IVBAZE is a veteran Journalist, retired and former Editor with the Bendel Newspaper Company Limited, the Publisher of the Nigerian Observer and other Observer titles writes from Benin, Monday 25, April 2022, 11: 35 AM (Nigerian Time).