Nigerians ask Jonathan to resign

Gbenga Adeyinka, Fasusi Martins and Famoriyo Solomon

In the light of the recent bomb blasts in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigerians have been reacting to the insecurity in the country, with many calling for President Goodluck Jonathan’s resignation. Saturday PUNCH went to the streets to get reactions from the public

Gbenga Adeyinka,  Comedian

 I’m just utterly disappointed. We have left leprosy and we are curing eczema. We have consistently shown that we have lost everything that has made us human beings and it’s a shame. Nobody can be exonerated from this; not our leaders and not us. It is like human lives don’t mean anything to us. The blasts have occurred and it is business as usual again. I can assure you that if you drive past the scene of the bomb blast, there are people selling there already. We are not treating it the way it should be treated. All hands should be on deck. We should treat it the way the United States of America treats terrorism. There is no need to negotiate with them; if you have proof that somebody is a terrorist, deal with the person. However, I will not call for President Goodluck Jonathan’s resignation if it will not bring an end to Boko Haram. But if that is what will save us from this calamity, then he and every other person who can save us from it should go.

 Fasusi Martins, Lecturer

Every right thinking person should know that that is the right thing to do, but it is quite unfortunate that can’t happen in Nigeria because it’s not our culture to do so, and Jonathan isn’t an exception. A day after the first bombing, the president was in Kano dancing when the country should be mourning these innocent Nigerians who were not in any way responsible for the underdevelopment, unemployment or poverty in the country. The next thing they will say is that they are on top of the situation, which you and I know is just a lip service. The question we should be asking is when the perpetrators will be brought to book, or have there not been any intelligent reports to unravel the cause? I was talking to somebody about the South Korean prime minister’s resignation and he told me humorously that if it’s in Nigeria, his kinsmen would say the prime minister has been bewitched. In shot, Jonathan should resign.

 Fasusi Martins, Lecturer

 Every right thinking person should know that that is the right thing to do, but it is quite unfortunate that can’t happen in Nigeria because it’s not our culture to do so, and Jonathan isn’t an exception. A day after the first bombing, the president was in Kano dancing when the country should be mourning these innocent Nigerians who were not in any way responsible for the underdevelopment, unemployment or poverty in the country. The next thing they will say is that they are on top of the situation, which you and I know is just a lip service. The question we should be asking is when the perpetrators will be brought to book, or have there not been any intelligent reports to unravel the cause? I was talking to somebody about the South Korean prime minister’s resignation and he told me humorously that if it’s in Nigeria, his kinsmen would say the prime minister has been bewitched. In shot, Jonathan should resign.

 ‘Boye Joshua, Banker

  I am of the opinion that the President shouldn’t resign, but he should wake up to his responsibilities. For heaven’s sake, he is the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic and he should act like that. He should leave his political rallies for now and concentrate on how to stop this menace. Anyone sponsoring these killings should be brought to book. And about the kidnapped girls at Chibok, why are their names not yet published by the school, state government and West African Examinations Council? Why are their pictures not over the news media? Pathetic things are really happening in this country and nobody is stopping them. Why?

 Ajani Yusuf, Estate Surveyor

 Despite the huge amount allocated to the security sector in the current fiscal year, the security situation in Nigeria is catastrophic. It’s an enigma. The President is just acting like a toothless dog. Rather than joining the rest of the nation in calling for his resignation, I feel the President should grab the bull by the horn and solve the problem which, in my view, is political. I believe a reshuffling of his tactics towards getting things done ought to be reconsidered, and critical decisions taken without further delay. Leaders are not rigid people. A call for his resignation could be tantamount to calling for a divided Nigeria in 2015, hence, he should reconsider his tactics, get things done and forget his 2015 presidential ambition.

 Abibat Musa, Student

 I think it’s just sad that innocent people are victims of needless deaths everyday. The situation calls for serious action on the part of the government and the people too, because the perpetrators of these crimes are human beings who have families. The situation has now got so bad that we no longer feel safe in the country. Definitely, we cannot continue like this. In the news, all we hear these days are reports of bomb blasts, deaths, killings and abductions. It was strange that the president went to Kano State after the April 14 bomb blasts to be dancing. It also seems like people don’t like President Goodluck Jonathan and are calling for his resignation. Since he’s not doing enough to secure the lives of Nigerians, I also think he should go.

 Okegbile Olushola, Lecturer

 I think the president should resign because he has failed in his full responsibility as the chief executive officer of Nigeria. A CEO makes sure nothing goes wrong with his company because he knows what is at stake, but it seems our president doesn’t. And worse still, he has failed to listen to the people. He has failed to take into account what is good for the entire population or the majority of the population; rather, he seeks what is best for him, or how can you explain why a president would go to a rally when young girls who are ‘his daughters’ are abducted? In search of what is best for him, he has failed to cater for what’s good for the rest of us. It’s a pity our president doesn’t even understand how to execute authority. He should please resign.

 Fiyinfoluwa Ayodeji, Computer engineer

 Hmm. I am so confused. In fact, as a resident of Abuja, I now live in fear because you don’t know where these people will strike next. But I believe as the president, Jonathan should be able to steer the country’s direction in a manner where people will have confidence in him. Nobody wants someone who just talks and promises rain when there are even no clouds. In the light of this, Nigeria wants someone they can trust.

 Ayangbile Susan, Businesswoman

 When the prime minister of South Korea couldn’t bear the shame on the loss of lives in a ferry accident in his country, he stepped aside. And it showed he is a man of valour. If Jonathan’s resignation would bring peace and tranquility to the country, he should do so. At least there are still other ways one can make meaningful contributions to the country without being the president. If someone better could do the job, let him or her come on. Lives are more important than political ambitions.

 Salahudeen Semiu, Businessman

 To be sincere, Jonathan has failed this country in terms of insecurity and corruption, apart from the fact that we are wasting resources on the ongoing national conference. The students of polytechnics have now spent about 10 months at home due to strike and no positive response from the president. He has promised not to contest in the 2015 presidential election. But in my opinion, that’s even too far. Let him resign now.