Former President Goodluck Jonathan says his decision to step down after losing the 2015 presidential election has earned him accolades on the continent, but not in Nigeria.
According to THISDAY, the immediate past president said he had made sacrifices for Nigeria and was prepared to lay down his life for the country if the need arises.
He also debunked the report that he had opted to go on exile in Cote d’Ivoire, saying he was taking out time to relax.
“I am not in exile. I am here resting. I am in Cote d’Ivoire, I have been here for a week resting and this is my second trip to the country since I stepped down as president,” he was quoted as saying.
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“I have no reason to leave Nigeria. I have made sacrifices for Nigeria. I am praised all over Africa for averting bloodshed and for the peaceful transition from one government to another, but it seems Nigeria does not appreciate my efforts.
“I have done my best for this country and if I have to die for it, I will do so. However, I am taking it easy here (Cote d’Ivoire) and when I am ready, I will come back.”
By Sunday, it will be exactly one year that Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari.
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The former president has received so many awards on the account of the voluntary hand over of power, a rare feat on the continent.
34 comments
This is really bunkum am sorry to say. Was President Goodluck supposed to refuse to hand over after losing an election. i think we have a different standard for judging people in this parts of the world. The former president has not made comments about the daily revelations about how he disbursed money for political gains and he is here telling us about orchestrated awards and praises by praise singers which is bought in form of PR. the former president should please spare us all this emotional and sentimental arguments.
This is the jaundiced argument that beats me hollow.He ran for an election and he lost and he is touting that as what.
How much of state money was used for this useless attempt at perpetuating the useless administration in power.
He says he handed over – yes you did because you LOST the election -PERIOD.
Should we be grateful that you didn’t turn the country into a war zone.
I will have more respect for you if and when you come back from your Ajala trips and answer to the charges of the looted trillions. If and when you and your co travelers are found not culpable can we believe anything coming out of your mouth. After all we heard all sorts of lies then only to find out that not billions BUT trillions were looted and we are still counting
You should be greatful because if he had refused owing to the irregularities from card reader and minors voting, there would have been a blood bath all over Nigeria and who knows who would have been the victim. It cost you nothing to recognize such sacrifice and if you are sincere with yourself he was and is still the better person.
Trillions?? How much does Nig earn in a year? And who’s behind th allegations of corruption, the same man who’s official position is that Abacha was not corrupt?
Mr yunisa, probably, you were not aware that so many people and some country POWERFUL countries, actually believed Nigeria will cease to exist after 2015. GEJ prevented an imminent war with his unprecedented acceptance of defeat in the ELECTION. This is what gej is saying. Do not be myopic in your views.
On the issue of getting awards and being praised all over Africa , who are those praising you. The old bags who have constituted themselves into tin gods or the supper corrupt nonentities who have forgotten they will give accounts to GOD on the day of judgment
your views are disgusting. we are proud of jonathan
He is the reason ur ccomfortable making stupid comments. Learn from the past that is hunting him
Jonathan did better than any president in Nigeria. But it’s a case of who can shout most. The ordinary citizen misses him a great deal cos the hardship is too much. My dear GEJ we appreciate you. Ignore the noise makers and propagandist. They think by saying it many times it makes it true.
This no bunkum go and ask the people of Burundi they will tell you better
Did buhari truly won the election?this is the point GEJ is making. Is illegal for an under age citizens to participate in electoral b voting. Buhari uses under age kids to get in power by all means because he is hungry to get in power with all cost. What do you think if GEJ should have challenged him for electoral malpractice. For sure that must been lots blood flowing everywhere which you mint be one of them.
We value you Mr President. Even though you had some corrupt people in your govt (like all other presidents).You contribution and legacy to the election process and to democracy will always be cherished and remembered. No amount of mudslinging will ever change that.
you matter how hard the are trying you will alway remain the best thou people in your admin are corrupt but that does not make you 1 nigerians don’t value what they have to me you are a peaceful man your contribution in this nation will always be cherished and value.
Leave those who do not know their left from right to say what ever they want to say, they own their own mouth the truth is that every patriotic nigerian value you so much you are the Savior of our time never mind what they say God will protect you IJN.
My excellency God is your strength because you are a good man
We praise you sir, is only those empty heads of this great country Nigeria that doesn’t know the sacrifices you did for Nigerians. You are my hero, God will never forget you,
many people are talking rubbish , mr president u r d best among all d president dat av ruled dis country, people say dat ur government is corrupt , fine let’s agree dat, but those people dat corrupt ur government r still d best minister of this present government. Mr President enjoy urself jooo, let’s see hw they r going to change Nigeria
Goodluck Jonathan,a Virgilian hero par excellence.
Your comment.. Sake don’t mind them the change they were shout for then they have see it now. Long live Nigeria, long live GEJ I love you
Yunusa,both IBB and President Buhari refused to appear before the Oputa panel on various charges in this country some years back and nothing happened. In fact, President Buhari was once accused of diverting 2.8 billion naira oil money which President Idi Amin seized it was alleged while he was oil minister. IBB was accused of killing one Gloria Okon,he was further accused of killing Dele Giwa, but all these remained allegations and none of the two of them commented on these allegations. Nothing happened. Jonathan does not need to comment on those allegations. If anything, Jonathan did whatever he has to do as a serving President. If those he ordered have failed one way or the other, they should answer questions not Jonathan. The difference between Jonathan and Buhari is that, one brought FEAR AND UNCERTAINTIES, While the other brought PEACE AND CERTAINTY. The choice is ours.
Your Excellency,a prophet has no respect amixe the gentles but only Jews that valued him. Remember, we have nothing to give you in return of redeeming nigerians. You are the messiah of the nigerian poor people. God will bless you.
still to come GEJ is a peace maker and he is d reason u all have come to ur base because most of u run away thinking dat d election will be a blood sheard election but he prove all of u wrong and he brought peace and Wat more from a humble man like dat .
Your comment..Goodluck still remain the best president that have ruled this country no matter the noise Buhari and his party All Promises Cancelled APC is making today. Oga Jonathan Abeg enjoy joor
Your comment..trillions of looting money you people are talking about is as a result of huge monthly money paying to the people in the cabinet and house and others, so far that their is no law that can be used to reduce this money, nothing can be done to this situation, even pmb is powerless about this situation, so my able President (GEJ)you are the best President so far, even if you contest again i will still vote for you again and again. God bless Nigeria
Mr. President,
A lot of Nigerians do not just appreciate you, they value you. I do not just appreciate the election matters, but for the underlying structures you and your cabinet were aiming for, and just to name a few; the sovereignty funds, the nolllywood fund, the agricultural revamp, the structurization of mortgage funds, additional centres of high institutions, applied information technology, etc….One can continue with your ” No Strong Man” leadership ideas but the set up of long term institutional structures.
Sir, we admire you and wish you long everlasting peace, that you left us with. God bless you and yours.
God bless you n time shall tell
You have said it all Leke; God bless you. Need not remind them of the January 2012 Occupy Nigeria Oil Subsidy noise made by the Buhari and co who said that there was nothing like Oil Subsidy.
Today, they are singing praises for removal of same Oil Subsidy by same persons and hiking fuel pump price by 70% making life unbearable for Nigerians! Change they wanted, change they got. Nigeria we hail thee!
President Buhari is not corrupt yet his friends are innocent… Lagbaja said- “I dey look I no talk”
President GEJ, your legacies speak volume and I can assure you that sensible Nigerians actually value you and your contributions when you truly served your country. God bless you Sir!
Because you destroyed Nigeria.. under ur watch Money that suppose to be used to fight the terrorist has been shared.. off courses the other countries are not aware the corruption in ur administration.. The only reason that you’re free 4 now is because of the immediate accept of defeat during the 2015 election
YES, we are proud of JONATHAN, time shall tell if history will be kind to Mr. Jonathan or not. This is not logical, you contested for an election and you lost, so what could you have done if you refuse to vacate the office? Sentiment or empathy should not comes in here: the outcome of general view and interest prevail after all, PDP lead Jonathan worked very hard in order to retain power but election speak otherwise. NIGERIAN WANTS TO HEAR FROM MR. JONATHAN ON THIS ONGOING REVELATION.
I guess Nigerians and African as a whole have gotten so use to corruptions and lies because it should be a big deal and a huge surprise that a man stepped down from a public seat after been dethroned by election . plz why should Mr Jonathan be given all this praise and honour just bcuz he did what should be seen normal in a normal society and him been an educated man is equally seen it as a big deal but it would have been much of a great deal if he had left the seat without all the commotion corruption and pain the Nigerian people are going through today.his administration is one of the worst and most corrupt in the Nigerian history.were looting shifted gear from million to billions and even trillions.
GEJ; our hero
Our hero not because you stepped down when you have to but because when you became president; Your enemies started a bloodshed campaign called boko…you were loosing money; but it didn’t deter you from making life easy for us , you didn’t give excuses as to why you can’t perform. APC engaged all manner of slandering ; but your main concern was the people. ..
All of a sudden ; we realised we had a voice that can be heard; a voice that is being choked now; a voice no one heard anymore. Your enemies could talk and You won’t witch hunt. You tried to evict corruption by instituting e- account method of paying from central coffers
I wish You did more against the corruption. Doesnt mean your govt was the most corrupt because things fell apart a long long time ago with the generals enriching themselves; their families and allies.
You stood for dialogue that’s why you arranged the national conference.
You stood for democracy. Recounting your achievements both visible and invisibe achievement will take this entire space and more…
If past; present and future presidents can contribute quota like You did; Nigeria will have a future.
From deep down mine heart since from my child hood: I have never seen a president in Nig like You.
You are the best president ; Nigeria ever had!
GEJ; our hero
Our hero not because you stepped down when you have to but because when you became president; PMB’s ally started a bloodshed campaign called boko…you were loosing money;
But it didn’t deter you from making life easy for us , you didn’t give excuses as to why you can’t perform. APC engaged all manner of slandering ; but your main concern was the people. ..
All of a sudden ; we realised we had a voice that can be heard; a voice that is being choked now; a voice no one heard anymore
Your enemies could talk and You won’t witch hunt
You tried to evict corruption by instituting e- account method of paying from central coffers
I wish You did more against the corruption. Doesnt mean your govt was the most corrupt because things fell apart a long long time ago with the generals enriching themselves; their families and allies.
You stood for dialogue thats why you arranged the national conference.
You stood for democracy; unlike the PMB govt of autocracy
Recounting your achievements both visible and invisibe achievement will take this entire space and more…
If past; present and future presidents can contribute quota like You did; Nigeria will have a future.
From deep down mine heart since from my child hood: I have never seen a president in Nig like You.
You are the best president ; Nigeria ever had!
Ask those who experience 1968 – 1971 war then you respect GEJ more and more.
As corrupt as his administration was, the fact that he left office peacefully, is extraordinary.
There is an african saying. One vote one rule. If you are voted in, you are president for life.
Because he left office peacefully without plunging the country in a civil war, he should be praised.
Nigeria and many african countries have had unstable governments to this day simply because the president or pm refuses to give up power without blood being spilled. This type of tragedy is occurring now.
So, even with all that corruption his government and the downward spiral mess he left for president buhari, he should be praised in the manner he left.
That in itself is extraordinary today, among not only africa, but dozens of nations around the world.
Nigeria is special in this regard. Jonathan left a country intact without the violence many countries in Africa are going through today.
The widespread corruption pales in corruption with a country that falls into civil war.