Speculation about the former president Good Luck Ebele Jonathan, contesting for the presidency in 2027, may soon be laid to rest, as clearer indications have emerged that all is set for him to formally declare intention to run
At a time like this, when most Nigerians have been plunged into unimaginable hardship, and overwhelmed with security challenges, the coming of Good Luck Jonathan, could, as well be akin to the appearance of a Messiah in the person of the great Moses, as contained in religious scriptures, that delivered the children of Israel from the Pharo of Egypt at a time they had lost all hope of salvation
With Jonathan, therefore, it is the return of the much awaited Messiah to deliver Nigerians from the All Progressives Congress led administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu
The last three years of the Tinubu administration have been very traumatic for majority of the Nigerian house hold, whose lifestyle have plummeted to penury, on account of punishing economic reforms introduced by the government
Right from day one, the Tinubu administration announced a shocking removal of fuel subsidy, even when there was no cabinet in place
Not many people thought, and quite rightly, as events have now proved, that a proper assessment of the implications of such a policy in the living conditions of the people had been done
It was therefore clear that the Tinubu presidency, started, on the wrong footing, by announcing such far reaching economic reforms without any back measures to mitigate their effects on the people
To further compound the economic crisis, the government, would at the same time announce the floating of the Naira, a euphemism for currency devaluation in a very fragile economy that had already been badly managed by the previous APC administration under former president Muhammadu Buhari
The crushing effects of such policies were so telling leading to a spiralling hyperinflation that took away the purchasing power of most Nigerians
Three years down the line, the people have been reduced to mere puns in the laboratory of Tinubu’s trial by error economic reforms that has driven more people into poverty
Today, there are more poor Nigerians living under extreme economic hardships, than during the Good Luck Jonathan presidency between 2011 to 2014
The economic indicators of a better Nigeria under the Good Luck administration, compared to what they are now, is like the distance between the North and the South Pole
Whereas under Good Luck Jonathan, the inflation in the economy barely rose above 5%, throughout his four years in office, today Nigerians are witnessing an astronomical rise in cost of living with inflation hitting the roof tops at above 26%
The per capita income of the average Nigerian under Good Luck Jonathan was around five thousand dollars, while the economy grew at between 4- 7% annually, which propelled Nigeria’s economy as the fastest growing economy in Africa
Nigeria was able to displace South Africa, on the economic scale as the largest, strongest and best performing economy in sub-sahara Africa
The pump price of fuel under Jonathan hardly rose above 156 Naira, despite the global economic recession that we experienced
The only time an attempt to increase the pump price of fuel and diesel was the slight upward increment by about 25%, which the Jonathan government had to reverse after public disapproval of it
But today, Nigerians are going through one of the worst times in the history of our country, battered on all sides, by harsh economic situation and insecurity, that have combined to make life in the country hellish
While former president Good Luck Jonathan, showed great restraints and sensitivity to the plights of Nigerians in running the affairs of the nation, this administration of President Tinubu, has been the total opposite
The experience is not different from the totalitarian dictatorship, where policies, however unpopular, are forced down the throat of the people
All the public outcry against fuel subsidy and street protests were crushed with military might, forcing Nigerians to accept their fate, as a captured people
Today, under the Tinubu presidency, Nigerians are being pilloried with all kinds of taxations that have helped to worsen their already pitiable economic situation, with no end in sight
The Naira, has been left at the mercy of speculators, fluctuating between N1,560k to the dollar, when under Good Luck Jonathan, it was around N150- 185 to the dollar
The insecurity in Nigeria has become so embarrassing and extremely dangerous that we now have American military presence in the country to help combat terrorism and other sundry crimes
How are the mighty falling?, a country that was once the pride of Nigerians and admired on the global stage as a dependable peace keeping force, as displayed many times in Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Congo, etc, has lost its glory and is now depending on others to help protect its citizens!
The Tinubu administration has shown embarrassing incompetence with the handling of terrorists who have turned kidnappings into a business franchise with government officials colluding to fleece hapless victims of millions, if not billions in ransom payments
The Boko haram insurgency, which was weaponised by the enemies of former president Good Luck Jonathan, to remove him from office in 2015, has since exploded beyond North East, with variants in the North West, North Central, and now moving down south, in a most daring and frightening manner
Nigeria under Mr President Tinubu has become like a hell, as nothing seems to be working
The power supply nation wide, is as good as none existent with rapid grid collapse without any rational explanation from government
The gains of fuel subsidy removal is not felt by the people except for the government officials and their families who live ostentatious lives with impunity
Therefore, it is good news for Nigerians that Good Luck Jonathan, is coming to take back our country from the cabals that have held us hostage since the APC administration took power in 2015
For most people who have been battered on the alter of reckless economic reforms policies of Mr President Tinubu, the coming of Good Luck Jonathan, will be celebrated like the appearance of the Messiah to free them from economic bondage, hopelessness and despair that hoover above the land.
Tom Ohikere, a public affairs analyst and former commissioner of information, Kogi state, and the National Chairman, Goodluck Jonathan Desciples.