Following Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s concession to defeat after the Nigerian presidential election on 28th March 2015, many, especially Nigerians, have quickly described his actions as heroic. They concluded— that he is a hero—albeit without constructive analysis of the term, hero. One could argue that his actions were not heroic but a mere appendage of what is expected in any democracy.
Thus, to understand why GEJ’s action is not heroic, it is pertinent to repose the question: “who is a hero?” Jonathan Turner, a reputable sociologist, argues that a “hero is a person of distinguished courage of ability, admired for brave deeds”. The hero’s deed must have been an accumulation of brave deeds and not a brush stroke of one reasonable act. There is much more than bravery and ability to being a hero. The hero’s role is differentiated out in terms of an image and what the hero represents.
Having understood the basic features of a hero, and relating it to the just concluded Nigerian elections, who, really is the hero? Was it the president who conceded to defeat? Or the people who, with one voice, came together to ensure that democracy came to play?
The people, over the years, have witnessed a malicious mutilation of their collective existence. The political elites in Nigeria, if anything, consistently push the people to the edge of non-existence. They see the people as mere pawns on their board of power. Through bravery, however, the people spoke and in unison, fought for a new phase.
Many argue that the singular fact that GEJ has not stubbornly held on to power is a heroic deed. How can that be? Without international admonition, would he have displayed this supposed heroic feat? True, he would be remembered in the future, as the first democratic president in Nigeria to admit defeat but that is not a heroic feat. Misconstruing the definition of the term or tying it to a president who displayed diplomacy, is not only hypocritical but also shows how quickly Nigerians heighten quotidian qualities.
GEJ scoffed his chance to be a real hero. Since it was impossible for him to be wise as a president, he may as well try to afterwards.
It is also true that many African leaders cling unto power as if their life depended on it. They add flavour to the oft-used phrase: “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Ours, however, deflated that phrase with his act.
GEJ understands democratic practices, at least, to an extent. He knows that if you lose, you bow out gracefully. He has shown that, that’s how it is done. His understanding goes to show that he is conversant with what is expected in a democratic dispensation. Are we to conclude, then, that a man who shows understanding of a system of government is heroic?
It seems most Nigerians forgive quickly. Again, the president had so many chances to show bravery but he allowed it to slide. First, the Chibok issue would have been a fantastic avenue for him to display his bravery. Second and the most obvious, would have been the fight against the insurgent group, Boko Haram; if he had tackled this group from the beginning, his name would have gained a glowing space in the minds of many Nigerians.
Then again, the use of the term “hero” means different things to different people. To some, GEJ is a their hero! To some, he is not. Hell, Hitler was a hero to many people even as he gassed humans daily.
The people, truth be told, are the real heroes. Kudos to them! However, the journey to a collective freedom is far.
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