Jonathan: As president, I decided never to use my position to punish people

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he made a decision while in office to never use his position to punish people.

Jonathan, who led the country from 2010 to 2015, described his political power as a temprorary privilege from God.

He was speaking at the 50th birthday celebration of Charles Osazuwa, president of the Rock of Ages Christian Assembly, held in Benin, Edo state capital, on Sunday.

The former president said some of his actions are still talked about years after leaving office because of his conviction to never cause the death of anyone.

“My belief, particularly when I joined politics is not to use a temporary privilege, a temporary position God has given to me to punish people,’’ he said.

“Some of the things I did while in office to which people still make reference were based on the conviction not to use my position to cause the death of anybody.

“Any position I have occupied by divine providence should not be used to create hardship for other people.”

In his remarks, Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, lauded Osazuwa for using the word of God to address Nigeria’s current challenges.

“What singles you (Osazuwa) out is your ability and capacity to use and link the challenges we are having today as a country with the scriptures and to use same to give hope to the people particularly the youths,” he said.

“Apostle Osazuwa understands the role of God and the role of the scripture in our modern society; nobody, in my view has been able to explain things the way he does.”

Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, commended the celebrant for using the church to impact on the lives of people.

Osazuwa enjoined politicians to make life easier for the masses.

“King David used his position to make things easier for the children of Israel. I encourage our governors and all politicians not to use their positions to cause pain in the lives of the people,’’ he said.