In recent times, Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan, had been cautioned over utterances made in defense of Niger Delta, South-south Nigeria. Looking at the possible implication of such act, it’s time to bring to Jonathan’s awareness that he is no longer Jonathan of Niger Delta rather Jonathan of Nigeria. As such, all he does, say and thinks should reflect this reality. This should be his stand at all times.

When he took over from then Governor of Bayelsa State, DSPAlamieyeseigha some years back, he was regarded as Jonathan of Bayelsa. DSP was kicked out of office in 2005 for gross misconduct and financial misappropriation; then he took over the helm of affairs being the deputy Governor. During the 2007 General Election he was picked as the running mate to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua – the Presidential election which they eventually won – by this time he was seen as the Jonathan of the Niger Delta, and the people saw him as a voice for them. After Yar’Adua’s death, he became the President and immediately the transformation started. (He is now the Jonathan of Nigeria because his office dictates so).

Now he has declared his candidature, seeking the office of the president which he occupies. For 2011, Jonathan should convince us all, that he is truly Jonathan of Nigeria not of the Niger Delta alone, as acclaimed in his comment after the bomb blast – “that my people will not …” – this to me is like a man shooting himself in the leg. Where we expect him to stand, is to declare a conspicuous allegiance to every faction in Nigeria to ascertain that their interest will be guided. He should stop seeing himself as a ‘Niger Delta President’ but as Nigerian President from Niger Delta. If not, He will continue to fight for acceptance from the larger society because he is from a minority group. What is wrong in marginalization cannot be corrected by his undue attachment to his people.

We know that his people remain his big asset but a bigger asset lies outside them and that is where his support should ultimately come from. This is the deciding factor. No one fights marginalization with margins! Solidarity is the soul of peace. Jonathan should stand for unity, preach it and act it. History will not forgive the man that refuses to alter event for good when destiny is in his hands. The way Jonathan manages the peace and unity of this nation is key to our continued existence and he has to prove that he is capable, as he faces his strongest test to remaining the president.

Jonathan should be careful not to turn his greatest strength to become his glaring weakness as he prepares to come in next year as an elected president. Let him seek the unity of all in the nation as we look critically at his ability to handle our security. The political writhe that we see today is bringing security trait, and we sincerely hope Jonathan can handle this persistent crisis rocking us as a nation. As we consciously appeal to everybody to eschew violence and pursue peace, let the president live out his primary responsibility.

Recently, Thirteen (13) containers loaded with arms and ammunitions were intercepted in Apapa. Though reports’ reaching us says the bombs were brought in since July this year, we will still ask ourselves the motive behind the importation. The possibility of violence we cannot be ruled out, as these weapons were not imported by any of the security agencies. One needs to be conscious of the possible outcome, should these bombs get to the wrong hands. Only God knows the intentions of the perpetrators. As we continue to face trying security traits, Jonathan should stand on the path of peace and unity to forestall virile coexistence amongst all.