Ever since former President Goodluck Jonathan made that call to President Muhammadu Buhari congratulating him on his “victory” at the last presidential polls, and following the enormous goodwill that has attracted to him worldwide, it is fast becoming a norm in Africa for incumbents to easily accept defeat at the polls and congratulate the winner. Yahya Jammeh, the outgoing President of Gambia, was on his way to making history as one of the very few African presidents who would follow the enviable example of Nigeria’s former president and Africa’s hero of democracy, Goodluck Jonathan, by conceding defeat as an incumbent to an opponent in a political contest.

However, with his sudden u-turn on that stand, Jammeh, it seems, is about to throw that tiny West African country into a needless and avoidable turmoil. After having been commended by major political players and the media worldwide, what could have caused Yahya Jammeh to retrace his steps just less than a week after conceding defeat and hailed the process that saw his closest rival, Adama Barrow, an otherwise political neophyte, emerge as the president-elect of Gambia as “the most transparent election in the world”? Jammeh had told Barrow while conceding defeat to him, “I’m the outgoing president; you are the incoming president”.

Also, in a telephone call to the president-elect, Jammeh was reported to have told Barrow, “I wish you all the best. The country will be in your hands in January. You are assured of my guidance. You have to work with me. You are the elected president of The Gambia. I have no ill will and I wish you all the best”.

He repeated the same thing in a televised statement when he said, “I take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Adama for his victory. It’s a clear victory. I wish him all the best and I wish all Gambians the best.

As a true Muslim who believes in the almighty Allah I will never question Allah’s decision. You Gambians have decided”. Even the Head of Gambia’s electoral commission, Alieu Momarr Njai had said: “It’s very rare that this present situation now, in Africa, that this happens” The question on the lips of everyone is, why would Jammeh suddenly make a volte face after what seemed like a firm resolve to hand over power to the winner of the election, Adama Barrow? The answer to this puzzle may not be far-fetched. Jammeh took his cue of conceding defeat from Nigeria’s Jonathan, he must have also thought he was making a mistake going by the happenings in Nigeria today.

With the relentless vindictive persecution of Goodluck Jonathan’s family by the Buhari administration, the unending vendetta against Jonathan’s former ministers and government officials, the use of the military, secret police and other security agencies to harass, intimidate and even kill innocent, harmless and helpless citizens in droves with little or no provocation, high-handedness in dealing with sections of the country that did not support the emergence of president Buhari, it probably became obvious to Jammeh the enormity of risks he is taking by conceding defeat.

His family members must have reminded him that there is nothing good in conceding defeat in Africa. They must have reminded him of what is going on in Nigeria despite the magnanimity of Goodluck Jonathan. Even his cabinet members might have become apprehensive. They must have become afraid of being witch hunted and persecuted.

Some of them might even be ready to face prosecution should there be any need for that, but then, they realize that what their counterparts in Nigeria are facing is more of persecution than prosecution. They must have all brought Jammeh’s attention to al the atrocities going on in Nigeria. Jammeh gives all these a long and hard thought, and then thinks it is not worth it in the end.

This is only just a part of the many consequences of Buhari’s tyrannical approach to governance in Nigeria. The message of his style reverberates across Africa. The goodwill and novel approach of incumbents conceding defeat in the continent is being endangered rather than being engendered. Consequently, Buhari’s style of leadership is rolling the political progress of Africa kick-started by that famous telephone call from Jonathan and his peaceful handover centuries backward.

Even Nigeria’s electoral system that was beginning to make tremendous progress under Jonathan has suffered unwarranted grievous attacks under Buhari. The nation’s electoral system has been so bastardised within the short period Buhari’s administration has lasted that electoral malpractices have been given an official toga.

Not even the ECOWAS court has been spared the torrid experience of having its court orders disobeyed by the Buhari administration as it concerns its pronouncement on Sambo Dasuki, Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser under Jonathan.

It is therefore even more shocking that the same ECOWAS would rely on such a man to be a mediator in the political logjam about to befall Gambia. Well meaning Nigerians have continued to warn that the autocratic manner Buhari is running Nigeria has very grave implications not only for the country but also for Africa. Gradually, those implications are beginning to unfold right before our very eyes.

The UN that is asking Jammeh to accept defeat and hand over power to Barrow seem to be only interested in treating the symptoms of a disease without looking at the root cause of such a disease.

No one is saying that governments should not prosecute past governments where and when necessary, but everyone would want such prosecution not to degenerate into persecution, intimidation, harassment and vindictive pursuit of family members and officials of any previous government. Diligent and civil prosecution of anyone would always encourage peaceful handover of power from one government to another in Africa. But first, the ECOWAS, AU, UN and other such international bodies must also not look away while any government deals with its people with an iron fist under the guise of fighting corruption and or other such otherwise noble guises.

Until this is ensured, there are likely to be many more Jammehs in Africa than anyone can imagine.


Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/buhari-jonathan-jammeh-gambias-u-turn/

ThePathfinder:
Rivers State is a country on its own. Too many gladiators.

the only state Buhari fear and shiver for is River state,go and ask in

Wait o, this is how we fold how hands to watch PMB destroy Nigeria!!?

progress69:



U see the point? Zero level of intelligence. Point is we were already sliding into reccession even before this government was sworn in. To understand a simple post in very difficult for clowns that call the president a dullard

So in 1983/1984 what also happen? is Buhari a bad head? why must it be his time? these two things are his problem:
1. Wrong economy policies
2. good economy policies at the wrong timing.

blazetitov:
LMAO

How? These guys are bunch of jokers!

Seems majority of Ibos suddenly started supporting Trump. I can only imagine why 80% of a people will sleep and lie the same way. They are thinking Trump's election victory is a loss for Nigeria and PMB, Mr Trump doesn't give a damn aboutNigeria or you guys. Warped thinking.

Why where you praying with all you life for Clintin to win. Medicine after death.

So there is also godfatherism in the military under Bohari watch? I am very surprise!! i thought Buhari body language is yielding result. Nonsense noise making govt.

brojoshua:
To me those who looted all Nigerians money are elephants, wolves, foxes, boars, sharks, etc and not rats at all. If they were rats they would not have been able to loot and steal up to #50, #100, #150, etc, but these looted millions of dollars and co and looted the treasury empty. Rats could not have done that.

only those that criticize your president looted the treasury? Time will tell

oduastates:
Abati and friends want us to forget about their criminality.
Eewo

Myopic thinker as usual, focusing on the messager and ignoring the far reaching message. Very sad

OLADD:
For those who swiftly condemns anyone that expresses skepticism about the genuineness of Chibok abduction claims, the incident of bomb blast on the eve of the release of 21 Chibok girls few weeks ago and today's news emanating from Borno State about another deadly explosion should without prejudice put pay to the lies been peddled around the apparent conspiracy tagged Chibok abduction. While it's incontrovertible that a kidnap indeed took place, events before and after the April 14, 2014 incident clearly point to the fact that Chibok is a local and international conspiracy for the sole purpose of wining the 2015 elections. These are the damning facts and inescapable questions:

1. After combing Sambissa forest for more than a year post May 2015 inauguration, why was there no trace of Chibok girls despite the release of more than 2000 hostages both young and old, male and female by the Nigerian Army?

2. Why did Boko haram choose to strike on the eve of releasing 21 Chibok girls despite the claim by the government of intense negotiations and compromise?

3. How could a sect that has wasted more than 15,000 lives decide to release 21 girls without a swap or prisoner exchange as claimed by the govt?

4. Do the unfolding events suggest that the Chibok girls were carefully kept in a secluded environment by some unscrupulous elements with the connivance of local (State) authority in a bid to draw both international and local appeals all geared toward discrediting the then sitting govt?

5. Why would Boko haram be magnanimous in releasing some of the Chibok Girls but continues to kill other innocent citizens at the same time?

6. Are we been made to believe that the government of Buhari has been "negotiating" with a faction of Boko haram that "abducted" the Chibok girls while the other deadly faction remain unreachable, uncompromising or evasive? With these latest killings, is there any substance in the so-called negotiation claims?

7. If indeed negotiations are ongoing, why would Boko haram decide to strike today, killing people in the process while Buhari's govt is promising a release of another set of 83 Chibok hostages?

While we mourn the spirits of those caught in the latest dastardly act of human wasters who will do anything to achieve religious, political and economic aims, we would not shy away from the responsibility of exposing the gigantean conspiracy which Chibok represents.

God bless Nigeria.

Thank you and God bless you. At least we still have some Nigerian who have head

Which chibok Girls? The truth will be revealed one day. there is nothing done under the sun that can never be revealed. the same Boko Haram they negotiated with are the same trowing bomb in Maduguri, think well, Nigeria nation

Long live the great Oba of Bini kingdom. You are God sent

but they are very good at blaming others for their ineffectiveness. if buhari can only use 1/3 of his energy to solve Nigeria economy problems like he is using all his energy towards fighting any body that criticize him, i am sure we wouldn't have been where we are now.

lailo:
O boy dis is big punishment o.Covering ur nose and mouth everywhere when no bad odour.White man go think say dem fart that's wy if Oba go do am abroad.Culture and burden are like bread&butter

your headache. take paracetamol

Umogu ghator pkere, Ise

Government of the media, by the media and for the media. the worse of it all is the zombies who is been fooled by this old certificateless man

The Best definition of PMB government is: "Government by the media, of the media and for the media"

this government would always look for a way to cover up. very sad. please shamefully pay your fine and release that man. the only thing this government is good at is media persecution.

this government would always look for a way to cover up. very sad. please shamefully pay your fine and release that innocent man. the only thing this government is good at is media persecution.

Is the like of Tinubu and Amechi that put us into this mess.

National Assembly should do the needful now. Or else he is coming for all of you. Very barbaric government taking Nigeria back to stone age. Nigeria court is ruling against you and even international court is ruling against you only media of propagandist is working for you, yet you are forming ultimate worior

Dee60:

DSS is like the FBI - They are called in on special cases. Go and check - FBI can break into homes or offices when they have enough intelligence. Even in the US, there are clashes between FBI and the Police on who should handle cases. It is not strange.

Nigeria needs to move forward. Corrupt judges + corrupt politicians + corrupt INEC + Corrupt Press + Corrupt police + corrupt lecturers + Corrupt Senators + Corrupt Representatives + Corrupt SANs - etc have all ganged up to destroy the fabric of our society.

PMB may be applying a wrong style, but what can he do, when the gang up has become so terrible?

Well, I am waiting to hear what the judges will say about this. We need correct interpretations. A lot of people talking on NL are too quick to comment without understanding the issues. Many have ethnic bias.

People like FFK should find a farm. We know them. All he needs is an appointment by PMB and the quarrel will sharply turn into praise. Has that not hapenned before?

the only one who is not corrupt is the one that work for APC like Justice Okon Abang, very soon DSS would go after Judges in Ecowas court. i beg tell me another story. only idiot would believe this nonsense portray by this DSS of a thing

National Assembly should do the needful now. Or else he is coming for all of you. Very barbaric government taking Nigeria back to stone ages. Nigeria court is ruling against you and even international court is ruling against you only media of propagandist is working for you, yet you are forming ultimate worior

National Assembly should do the needful now. Or else he is coming for all of you. Very barbaric government taking Nigeria back to stone ages. Nigeria court is ruling against you and even international court is ruling against you only media of propagandist is working for you, yet you are forming ultimate worior

datola:
This country men!! Jonathan was corrupt, allowing corruption to fester. Buhari came and started fighting corruption and the same people are against the fight against corruption siting laid down procedure by Liars.Can this country ever be fixed??

If not because you are hiding behind internet to write this trash, i which you are talking face-to- face i would have landed you a dirty slap that you would never forget in your life if you survive it. Blind follower.

Pennywise:


You should be thankful to Buhari. You are the one that is brain dead and the people he is after are the ones that caused your affliction.

Tell me story! that could be the reason he arrested an innocent man who name his pet Dog Buhari? i see. God forbid, i refused to be brain wshed

Before you call for protest against this tyrannic government the following persons should apologize for deceiving us.
1. Prof. Osinbajo
2. Mr. Tinubu
3. Mr. Rotimi Amechi.
4. Prof.Wole Shoyinka
and others. Osinbajo who is even prof. in law can see what illiterate is using him to do. Our Holy book say " let no one be equally yoke with unbeliever, Osinbajo say that is not correct

Justice Okon Abang the APC card carier is not corrupt. it is a pity that this country is drifting swiftly to Autocratic government and many blind follower are happy. the issue with this unholy behavior is that by the time he is able to silence all that can oppose him, then he will face you that is clamping now. Did Tinubu know that he would get at him so soon. join hand to condemn executive raskality.

We warned Nigerians that if this man is voted into power, Nigeria will trace their step backward 10 times.

it is a pity that Tinubu make this illiterate man a Nigeria president. This man who condescend so low to arrest a common man who name his pet dog Buhari can stop at noting to turn himself a demigod. Nigeria is in trouble if we don't act now

they would always feed their blind followers with what they like to hear, but not my type they re to deceive like a baby. the same DSS who saw and counted huge amount of US Dollar cannot at the same time get hold of it. "before they came back they relocated the cash to unknown destination and they are making effort to trace it". it is well

Tinubu has not seen anything yet, GEJ will be the one to settle them. Karma