Removing Jega For A Minute In Any Shape Or Form Is Political Death Risk For Nigeria
Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, even if you have the constitutional and reserved right to remove Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unilaterally, you will forever regret making the greatest mistake in your personal and political life.
Even if Jega is now labeled as a civil servant or due for some form of retirement, doing anything to his current chair will cause you, President Jonathan, to face outright indictment through a never-before-seen type of homecoming protest in the nation.
Sir, even if you get the so-called order to go ahead with Jega's sudden removal through the support of a two-thirds majority of the Senate as stipulated in the Constitution, you and the Senate risk political terminal leave from the people's houses instantly.
Mr. President, if you are assured by intimate or spiritual advisers that it is okay to remove Jega, as the people as usual will make noise but then melt away, then go ahead. But you will be allowing the predicted disintegration of Nigeria to occur now.
If you think you have the full backing of security chiefs in Nigeria, then go ahead and cut off Jega's political head. However, unlike the postponement of the February 14 presidential elections which the people were open to, you had best be ready to arrest Jega and millions of Nigerians, but be forewarned that they will not be able to be contained in our dilapidatedNigerian cells and prisons.
If you fulfill the current media reports and affirm the general perception of removing Jega at this time, then you will also have to accept the interpretation that you will be running against yourself at the cost of the entire nation. The current tension over fuel scarcity, falling Naira and rising corruption will only spread into a weighty national protest. Mr. President, is this the road you wish to take now? Let's hope not, and goodluck, Sir.
Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist, a Consultant in National Psychology, and a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. [email protected]