Book Title: My Transition Hours
Author: Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
No. of Pages: 194
Publisher: Ezekiel Press
Year of Pub.: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-7324922-6-4
Reviewer: Obiwuru C. Rex
Goodluck Jonathan’s My Transition Hours, as a careful reader would observe, is not just about the events that took place in Nigeria as well as in the presidency while Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was the political helmsman of the country. The book, instead, is an amalgam, a combo of Jonathan’s family background, his journey to politics, his political life, his decisions as the president [including the one to relinquish power after the controversial, historic 2015 Presidential Election], and his post presidential life and experience. Unlike some biographies that are built on the quicksand of tales and unverifiable stories, the author tried to flavour his with some proof and evidence, as it can be seen in the pictorial backings, appendix and references provided in the book.
Another interesting, captivating thing about the book is the ex-president’s boldness in re-echoing the fact that Nigeria as a nation knows no unity. In Chapter 2 precisely, he revealed that some politicians who appear in the television acting as agents of “One Nigeria” have no interest whatsoever in the country’s unity, and that election in the country is firmly rooted in the principle of barbarism and violence. These he put this way: “When some individuals preach one Nigeria in public, those who know them better in private simply chuckle” and “If you knew anything about elections in Nigeria, you would know that violence plays a massive role in determining who comes out victorious and who loses.”
In Chapters 3, 4 and 5 the author attempted to clear the air on the reason why he had to remove subsidy on petroleum products [as “it does not help the economic group of oil producing nations”], the role his government played in the Chibok incident, and the efforts of his government in fighting corruption in the country. The tussle for power among the major and minor ethnic groups in the country as well as the issues surrounding the 2015 election were also treated in Chapters 6 and 7.
Chapters 8 and 9 focus on the decision of the author to concede defeat voluntarily [despite contrary suggestions from some advisers], the momentous congratulatory call to then president-elect – Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, and the reactions of the outside world on the author’s decision and action.
Quite essential to the book is the issue of Confab, the events of May 29, 2015 handover, the author’s final return to Bayelsa State from Abuja after the handover and the warm reception he received; the exhibition of love for the author by the youth [particularly those who trekked long distance for him], and the youth empowerment attempts by the author are conscientiously elaborated on in Chapters 10, 11, 12 and 13. The penultimate chapter, on the other hand, emphasised the need for unshakable, unalloyed democracy in Nigeria and Africa, and the warm applause he received from all and sundry for saving Nigeria’s democracy. Some of these include letters from ex-President Shehu Shagari, Major General John W.T. Gbor and little Miss. Evbarche Abohengbo which partly and respectively read:
…Your spectacular commitment in the development of our cherished values of democracy in Nigeria and Africa is legendary. On African political landscape, you are, indeed a rare breed. Your name shall always be written in gold whenever the history of Nigeria is dispassionately studied and analysed.
By willingly congratulating your opponent, now President Muhammadu Buhari, and voluntarily conceding power to him, you actually shocked the world. At the same time, your action brought the entire African continent to an unprecedented and unexpected level of political maturity.
My name is Evbarche Abohengbo… a primary three pupil… I want to thank you for not allowing another civil war to happen again in Nigeria. God bless you and your family.
The last chapter as well as the epilogue focus on the author’s service in some African countries as a member of the Election Observer Mission, his visits to countries such as the United States of America and Switzerland (Geneva) for conferences, and his advice to the people of and fellow politicians within and outside Nigeria [one of which is: “If you embark on digging a hole for your enemy, you better make it shallow, because you might end up in the hole yourself”].
In all facets, My Transition Hours is a masterpiece, an utterly delicious meal that would definitely satisfy the curiosity of men who seek to know whether a leader could choose nation over self; whether a president could voluntarily or willingly “sacrifice power for peace”. Though a part of the book seems to be “defensive” or “attack” on the present regime and its sponsors (who appear to be grandmasters of blame game), it’s still able to relate to Nigerians and the world, in a simple, clear manner, what they ought to know about the author, Nigerian politics and the events of 2015 Presidential Election.
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Obiwuru C. Rex is an independent scholar with many brainchildren, which include novels, textbooks and articles in learned journals. He believes firmly that education is the greatest apparatus for illuminating the world, hence he combats illiteracy and scoops and extends the water of knowledge to thirsty youth via his NGO – Promote Literacy. He could be reached via email: kapitoo1000@gmail.com or Facebook: @Promote_Literacy_(Global).
