‘Sacking Sanusi isn’t punishment?’ — reactions to Jonathan’s comment on abuse of power

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has drawn reactions from Nigerian Twittersphere for saying he never abused power while in office.

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.

Jonathan, who led the country from 2010 to 2015, said when he joined politics, he decided not to use his position to punish people.

“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.

His comment has since sparked a flurry of reactions on social media.

While some have tackled the former president, citing instances during his tenure when he allegedly abused power, others are of the view that Jonathan’s comment shows weakness.

Here are some reactions from Twitter:

Sacking Sanusi after exposing dezini’s looting under you is not punishment.

This is the man that some people think he deserve some accolades.🤷🏽‍♂️ https://t.co/3xY5ntXOXW

— ModibboMaikudi 🇵🇸 (@mod33333) May 17, 2021

These are some Jonathan's kindly gestures towards the same media that couldn't question him when he was shamelessly pouring out this lie. https://t.co/pvpB00s2DX pic.twitter.com/ZzQcPuLBiX

— TallJohn🌍 (@JohnFanimokun) May 16, 2021

Weak decision HE.
Leadership is all about the act of balance, in administering the rule of law, fairness & compassion.
At some point, those that are naturally deviants must be taken off the way. Powerful toes that make things horrible for the majority, must be stepped on. 🇳🇬🇳🇬

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— Chinedum Ohanusi (@Papaebukaguns) May 17, 2021

https://twitter.com/FragGroup/status/1394240142639050753?s=20

What does this nonsense mean?
"I decided never to use my position to punish people"

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You punish people when they deserve punishment.

If you mean you don't use your position to oppress people, fine. https://t.co/sk5P5OwhGV

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— AskThePress ⦿ (@ask_thepress) May 17, 2021

What has darkness yo do with light. The evil they planned for you is hunting them. Our God is great. https://t.co/zR29MUN6jL

— #NigeriaMustBeFree#(CryBelovedCountry) (@aelinwa) May 17, 2021

https://twitter.com/amedo44/status/1394168277971128320?s=20

We really lost a gem 🤦🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/MTZNyTOr3h

— Ser_O.K.V.C 🦇🔊 (@1stOnwe) May 17, 2021

https://twitter.com/SheriffBBakare/status/1394007427884978182?s=20

Also now remembering that, under you:
1. The National Assembly gates were locked against opposition members.
2. You hounded the Rivers State governor severally and used the police to keep majority members of the state house of assembly from sitting. https://t.co/7mihzRBV7s

— Akeem Oyalowo (@keemside) May 16, 2021

GEJ has come again, as if we suffer from Amnesia in this country 😣😣 https://t.co/7sd7yj3zEf

— Alvan Obiakor (@AlvanMadeMan) May 16, 2021

Buhahaha… How time erodes all imaginary hills 😅

2015 was just yesterday, but yall think we've forgotten…
Tell that nonsense to these kids who woke up post-2015. https://t.co/RB3mViaMd3

— Alchemist (@calmadini) May 16, 2021

Goodluck will just wake up and drop a line that's totally unrelated to anything 🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/RONpkvNdm8

— Thankfulbee♥ 🇵🇸 (@beebah5) May 16, 2021