Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan speaks during a joint press briefing with the Chinese prime minister at the presidential villa in Abuja on May 7, 2014. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang vowed to boost trade and investment with Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy and leading oil producer, as he met embattled President Goodluck Jonathan for talks. AFP PHOTO/PIUS UTOMI EKPEIPIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images
Former President Goodluck Jonathan says it is better to gain honour at the cost of losing power.
Although it is unclear what prompted Jonathan to make the comment, it is coming at a time when President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the US electoral process.
Accusing Joe Biden, his Democratic Party rival, of trying to steal votes, Trump said the process is flawed.
In 2015, Jonathan conceded election to President Muhammadu Buhari even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared a winner.
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Jonathan was widely praised for the move.
In a Facebook on Friday, the former president said “the power of love should matter more than the love of power.”
“Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any citizen. It is better to gain honour at the cost of losing power, than to gain power at the cost of losing honour,” he said.
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“This is my philosophy. I have lived it. It has brought great peace to both my beloved nation and I.
“And I recommend it to all leaders facing challenging situations, either in government, or at the polls, or even in their dealings with fellow political actors.”
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