Former President Goodluck
Jonathan reached the milestone of 60 years on Monday, with congratulatory
messages from President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC),
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and notably, former Senate president
David Mark.
Although it is unclear whether
there will be a ball to mark the day, what was conspicuously missing yesterday
was the usual adulatory newspaper advertisement from the large army of
contractors, politicians, public officials and others.
They seemed to have abandoned
Jonathan to his fate as they failed to sing his praises the way they did when
Jonathan marked his 57th birthday in 2014 when Jonathan had spent four years in
the saddle and was preparing to run for re-election.
Only ThisDay newspaper published
six advertisements. They were from a forum of Jonathan’s former ministers,
Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers; A.J. Turner, a traditional ruler from Bayelsa;
Reuben Okoya, an architect; and David Omonibeke, president Azikel Group.
There was no advert in The Punch,
arguably Nigeria’s largest selling newspaper but Vanguard published one advert
from Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state.
The Guardian published none. The
Nation also published an advert from Azikel Group, whose chairman, Eruani
Azibapu Godbless prayed in his birthday message for God’s infinite mercies and
blessings to Jonathan.
He also prayed for Jonathan’s
continuous strength, good health and wisdom ‘all the days of his life”.
Azikel’s showering of praises on
Jonathan is understandable.
The company is based in Bayelsa,
Jonathan’s home state. It started business just nine years ago, with an
ambition to be a fast-growing indigenous conglomerate. Its main area is
dredging.
Jonathan’s abandonment by his
friends was noticeable as far back as November 2015, the first birthday he
marked out of office since 2010, when he succeeded former President Umaru
Yar’Adua.
In 2015, Jonathan was 58, a few
months after he was defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
And what played out today also
occurred then: the reticence of the friends of power: the politicians, hangers
on, business barons, social and political groups.
Does it make his birthday invalid?
ReplyDeleteYou are stupid, read the news. It's telling you how people surround you when you are in power for the purposes of their enrichment and not for genuine love.
DeleteAnom-my anon! No mind that mumu Collins, I am sure he did not read the write up.
DeleteOr maybe he ddnt understand
DeleteOf cause nobody has forever friend, however he has celebrated his birthday.
ReplyDelete