Public discourse around former President Goodluck Jonathan often swings between exaggerated praise and unfair dismissal. In his recent piece, “Jonathan, Don’t Just Run… Please Flee!” Dr. Chidi Amuta leans heavily toward the latter — offering a portrayal that reads more like caricature than critique. His essay, while witty in style, relies on selective recall and sweeping claims that distort Jonathan’s actual record.
The Question of Youth Appeal
Amuta suggests Jonathan failed to connect with young Nigerians. Yet history shows the opposite. Jonathan was the first Nigerian leader to formally launch his campaign online, using Facebook as a platform to engage millions of young people during the 2011 elections — a move unprecedented at the time. His administration also rolled out targeted initiatives for youth empowerment…
