Politics and the State (18)

The Dynamics of Politic and the operations of the States is gathering increasing momentum especially in the area of 'Leadership in Crisis times'.

In this edition of the topic, the challenges and approach to several unfolding events in the political landscape of Nations will be critical to their positioning in 2013.

On January 21, 2013 President Barack Obama of the United States of America was inaugurated for a Second Term in office. His speech as usual carried Inspiration, hope and promises for a nation torn apart by racial and political divide.

The key issues raised by President Obama, which was his resolve to uphold the three tenets of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, ideals that have caused the Nation to be the greatest in the World, will form a major test for his second-term in office.

Also worthy of note was his message that in building the economy, the architecture is from the middle class up, not from the high class down. This has been the bone of contention between the White House and the Capitol.

The situation for the 2013 budget delay and the prospects of experiencing a possible fiscal cliff, created a lot of uncertainty and tension in the Global market, and just at the nick of the time the White House and Capitol reached a deal to avoid what would have been an economic disaster.

Though they are still issues to be sorted in the deal that sees the tax code changed for the Rich to carry the burden of driving the economy, it was a great moment to see the Democrats and Republicans bury their differences to resolve a lingering political economic issue.

But that being said there is a lot of work cut out for President Obama even as he battles with a policy he seeks to implement that will regulate the access of Americans to 'Guns', following recent shooting incidents in the Nation.

The Issue has divided the politicians in the Nation, but it is hoped that reason and responsibility with prevail over commercial interest, the time has come for the politician to chart a new path for the future, devoid of increased violence and murder, the way forward is some level of 'Gun Regulation'.

As for Nigeria the Drama of 2015 seems to be unfolding the intent and motives of notable politicians, political parties and ethnic groups in the country.

It all started in the second week of the year, when posters of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015 were spotted in some areas some areas in the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja.

The Presidency came out quickly to disassociate themselves from such developments, which was expected but still did not silence the insinuations and perceptions of some Nigerians that the President was up to something.

Apart from the 2015 panorama, two other events have played out on President Goodluck Jonathan's Strength and Weakness in his Leadership of the greatest nation in the dark continent.

First was the 'Police College, Ikeja' issue a documentary carried by Channels Television, that showed the dilapidated college in need of a Public/Private sector partnership to rebuild and restore back its lost glory.

There was to be a special forum with experts in attendance to discuss and proffer solutions to the state of Police colleges in the country, surprisingly President Goodluck Jonathan visited the institution to see things for himself.

What irked Nigerians, was the initial feelings by the Presidency that it was politically motivated to discredit his government. After some level of briefing from the TV management, the President now understood the objective of the programme, but the question is should the President be concerned with the image of his government or fixing ailing sectors in the Nation?

Second issue is that the President showed courage and leadership in leading an offensive from Africa on the onslaught of terrorist insurgency in Mali, where the Touaregs in partnership with Al-Qaeda have been carrying out dastardly attacks, seeking to take over the country already destroying valuable relics at Timbuktu.

Understanding the adverse impact the Boko Haram terrorist group have caused in Nigeria for the past two years, the Nigerian leader has left no stone unturned in tackling the menace of terrorism and with the recent Mali operation, he has won the commendation of the Obamas, Camerons and the Hollandes.

The task of leading Nigeria is not an easy one, that is why President Goodluck Jonathan would really have to realign his political communications strategy, critical at a time when landmark policies like the Petroleum Industry Bill and the Full Commercialization of the Power Sector are on the verge of being implemented .

From the analysis of the U.S and Nigeria Presidents Obama and Jonathan respectively, will have to be more strategic and dynamic in their political approach as these two Nations are experiencing momentous socio-political changes.

Ottoabasi Abasiekong writes from Lagos
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Articles by Ottoabasi Abasiekong