Jonathan has set a record for tolerance —Idowu-Fearon
Josiah Idowu-Fearon is the Anglican Archbishop of the Province of Kaduna. He says President Goodluck Jonathan has set a record for being the first incumbent elected official to concede election defeat before the announcement of results.
What lessons are there for Nigerians from the recently conducted elections?
First, I want to identify myself with many Nigerians in congratulating General Buhari for winning the presidential election. It shows the confidence the people have in him. We pray for God to give him good advisors
following the campaigns on character assassination against his person. I will want to say that president Jonathan has demonstrated a very rare characteristics which shows that politics is not a game of do or die; you sell yourself to the public and do everything you can as long as it is not against the law, but once the people decide you concede. I want to really praise him for standing out among his party members to concede and congratulate Buhari. This is the first time in Nigeria when a serving president is defeated and he concedes and I hope Nigerians and Africans will learn a lesson.
Again, whether people like it or not, God loves Nigeria, and so all believers should know that there is one God who listens and answers the prayers of his people.
Jonathan’s concession shows us that in spite of what we think of all our politicians as being selfish and narrow-minded, there are a few exceptions; those who will put the unity and security of the nation before their selfish interest.
There are many politicians at the state level who do not tell their supporters the right things to do but take decisions based on their selfish interests even here in Kaduna. I want our leaders including traditional and religious leaders to learn a lesson by putting the interest of the state gabadaya (altogether).
What kind of transition do you envisage?
I listened to the speech of the presidentelect and I expect this transition to be smooth and the smoothness should be based on what he said that Jonathan has nothing to fear from him. Which means, za’a ja layi (a line will be drawn). The incoming president will build on what is on ground however, General Buhari, knowing what the people expect, if the foundation is not good, will want to fix that foundation and that is where we will have problem. You can’t build on a faulty foundation. Buhari should let the people know so that they don’t accuse him of betrayal.
What are your expectations of the new government?
Well, during the campaigns people said Buhari was a dictator, he will Islamize the country and all sort of negative things. I am glad he said he will govern not rule. He ruled as a head of state because there was no constitution. When we visited him recently, he said he was ready to listen to ‘market women’ and take their input.
The impact depend on what is handed over to him by the present government but we need to give him enough time to study and see what can be done immediately so that people will feel the impact. I will expect him to take three or four month to study and see the areas that needed to be addressed immediately. The problems of power and security should be tackled first. We want him to go into action in these two areas.