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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • The power of love should matter more than the love of power – GEJ Urge Political Leaders

    The power of love should matter more than the love of power – GEJ Urge Political Leaders

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has shared some words of wisdom to political office holders and politicians across the world.

    His advice comes amidst the controversy surrounding the US Presidential election, after President Donald Trump vowed to challenge the results of the election as he claims the election was rigged in favour of his opponent, Joe Biden.

    Jonathan in his message shared on his Facebook page today November 6, stated that it is ”better to gain honour at the cost of losing power than to gain power at the cost of losing honour.” He pointed out that he has lived this philosophy and that it brought great peace to his beloved nation, Nigeria.

    Jonathan lost as an incumbent president to President Buhari in 2015 and was quick to concede defeat.

    His post reads

    ”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. At any point in time, the power of love should matter more than the love of power. 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. GEJ”

  • Mali Coup: Jonathan gives update after emergency meeting with ECOWAS leaders

    Mali Coup: Jonathan gives update after emergency meeting with ECOWAS leaders

    Former Nigeria President and ECOWAS Envoy to Mali, Goodluck Jonathan, has provided the latest update on the Malian coup following an emergency meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS on Friday morning.

    The summit, chaired by the current ECOWAS Chairman and President of Niger Republic, Mahmadou Issoufu, considered the report of Jonathan, who recently returned from Mali, where he interacted with the leadership of the military junta.

    The ECOWAS leaders had earlier met via video conference on August 20, to deliberate on the same matter where they called for the immediate release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, and a return to constitutional order in the West African country.

    The ousted Malian president, Keita, was released from detention by the military junta on August 27 in line with the request of the ECOWAS leaders.

    Reacting to the development, Jonathan, in a tweet on his official Twitter handle on Friday afternoon said the ECOWAS leaders are optimistic of restoring constitutional order in Mali following the emergency meeting.

    He tweeted: “I briefed an extraordinary session of the Authority of #ECOWAS Heads of State and Government this afternoon on the outcome of our recent engagements with the military rulers who are now in charge of affairs in the Republic of #Mali.

    “I am pleased that our mediation, buoyed by the determination of #ECOWAS leaders to act decisively to achieve the restoration of constitutional order in #Mali Mali is already bearing fruits, following the release of ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.”

  • My relationship with Buhari okay – Jonathan

    My relationship with Buhari okay – Jonathan

    Former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for choosing completion of projects from previous administrations as a policy, saying it was the way to go.

    The former President, who gave the commendation after meeting with Buhari in the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, also said his relationship with his successor had been cordial.

    It would be recalled that Buhari named the largest station along the Warri-Itakpe railway route – the Agbor railway facility and station – after the former President.

    According to him, what Buhari has done is the proper thing to do.

    When asked about the naming of projects after him, he said: “Let me use this opportunity to commend Mr. President publicly. I’ve already sent a letter to appreciating. It’s a good gesture.

    “And completing the railway programme is good. It shows that the President is doing, is going on with the legacy projects of the previous administrations. That is the way to go.

    “I sent a letter to him. I commended him verbally too but you are asking me now. Let me also do it publicly.

    ‘’I appreciate it, I thank Mr. President, the Minister of Transportation and others that made it possible,” he said.

    Asked about his relationship with President Buhari who defeated him in the 2015 presidential election, the former President stated “you’ve been seeing me coming and I have been having friendly conversations. So, our relationship is ok.”

  • BREAKING: Buhari, Jonathan in closed-door meeting

    BREAKING: Buhari, Jonathan in closed-door meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari has received his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, at the State House in Abuja.

    Arriving at the President’s office at about 11am, the former President went into a closed-door with Buhari.

    Although the agenda for the confidential meeting would not be disclosed immediately, The Nation gathered that it might not be unconnected with the recent assignment Jonathan was charged with by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    The Nation had reported ECOWAS recently appointed Dr. Jonathan to head the political reconciliation in Mali where there is leadership tussle.

    The Jonathan – led committee had recommended Government of National Unity in the West African nation but the opposition group had turned down the recommendation.

    Details shortly…

  • Goodluck Jonathan, others to speak on peace and conflict resolution

    Goodluck Jonathan, others to speak on peace and conflict resolution

    Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan and other notable public figures are expected to speak on peace and conflict resolution at a webinar scheduled to hold tomorrow, July 7, to formally launch a foundation, the Joseph Adolo Okotie-Eboh Peace and Conflict Resolution Foundation (JAOPCRF).

    The webinar which will address ‘Peace and Conflict Resolution- The Political and Governance Perspectives’, holds at the first anniversary of the Late Okotie-Eboh who died July 6, 2019.

    Apart from Jonathan who is the keynote speaker, former External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, renowned scholar, Prof. Anya. O. Anya are among dignitaries to speak at a webinar.

    According to a statement released by the family and signed by Dr.(Mrs.) Dere Awosika, the launch of the Foundation is in furtherance of the ideals of a peaceful and better society which the late Okotie-Eboh stood for in his lifetime.

    “Peace is the hope of every nation, the promise of every politician and the desire of every living person. The effects of conflict and violence are far-reaching and it is impossible to truly separate oneself. Peace is the only solution that provides security and promises sustainable development towards a better future,” she sad.

  • Why I’m staying away from partisan politics – Jonathan

    Why I’m staying away from partisan politics – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for an all-inclusive administration, to promote peace, unity and stability in achieving more successes for the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa state.

    He made the appeal on Sunday in Yenagoa when Governor Douye Diri inaugurated the state executive council of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    READ ALSO: Gov Tambuwal loses commissioner for lands, housing

    Speaking on why he has not been seen in most of the political activities in the state, Mr Jonathan said he was actually moving away from being “an effective partisan politician” to focus more on his foundation, but cautioned that, his action should not be misunderstood.

    Why I’m staying away from partisan politics –Jonathan | “Don’t be discouraged if you do not see me in most party activities in the state. I decided to appear in this event so that I will not be misunderstood.

    “I’m shifting away from being an effective partisan politician because of my foundation. People who want to partner me felt that if you are a partisan leader in the country, they will eat with you with a long spoon.

    “I felt that after serving as President of this country, I should go to some other areas where my services would be required. Through that process, I would be able to support the nation and the state in one way or the other,” former President Jonathan stated.

    He called on the new state executive council to run an all-inclusive administration, to promote peace, unity and stability in achieving more successes for the party

    On his part, Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri, charged the new party leadership to reach out to all those who had left with the view to bringing them back into the fold towards sustaining the party’s dominance in the state.

    “As a result of our divine emergence, we should not be vindictive. Let us forgive one another and bring everyone on board because we want to sustain our party’s dominance in the state,” governor Diri said.