Jonathan’s greatest legacy was conceding defeat in 2015 — Shettima
Isaac Sameul
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that Nigeria’s politics is increasingly being overtaken by rascality, urging political actors to embrace responsibility, decorum and national interest in their conduct.
This is as Vice President Kashim Shettima described Jonathan’s concession of defeat in the 2015 presidential election as the highest point of his presidency.
The Vice President noted that Nigeria’s democracy continues to stand because of people like Jonathan.
Shettima spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and the gala dinner held in honour of the former president’s 68th birthday.
He said the rare depth of statesmanship Jonathan demonstrated after leaving office has placed him among the continent’s most respected leaders.
Given the rich mix of political, religious, business and diplomatic actors at the event, the Vice President said the celebration reflected an African legacy..
He acknowledged Jonathan as a unifying figure whose influence cuts across divides, adding that the former President’s goodwill, humility and service rather than gold and silver define a true leader.
Shettima said: “I believe that what Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has championed over this year stands as a template for us all, a template for leaders who may feel idle after office, for citizens who assume that service ends when the last official vehicle is parked.
“For everyone who believes no one can only stop through political office, this foundation shows that service is a continuum and the living office is not the end of one’s national duty but the beginning of a new chapter.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, our democracy stands because of people like former President Goodluck Jonathan. People who believe that the Nigerian state is bigger than any individual. People who understand that the state is greater than all of us and must therefore be protected with courage, with restraint, and with patriotism.
“The highest point of his presidency was not that he won an election for a second time. The highest point of the jonathan legacy was when he courageously conceded defeat and saved the nation from a precipice.
“Our democracy has survived turbulent election seasons and the schemes of conflict prepare because we have collectively resolved that this nation cannot succeed unless every person and every group works equally and it has become easier due to organizations such as this foundation which carry the touch of democratic principles within and beyond our borders.”
The Vice President praised Jonathan as a guardian of democratic values who chose the nobler path after leaving office by dedicating himself to peacebuilding and strengthening democratic institutions across Africa.
He said the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has become a model for life after public office and a vital platform for promoting democratic culture at a time when democracy faces severe threats across West Africa.
According to him, Jonathan’s post-office engagements show that leadership does not end when tenure expires.
Shettima warned that nations drift into chaos when leaders disregard democratic principles, stressing the need to respect electoral outcomes irrespective of personal preferences.
According to the Vice President, democracy, offers repeated opportunities to renew mandates, and must be protected by both leaders and citizens.
He described Jonathan’s famous declaration“my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian” as one of the most profound statements ever made by a Nigerian politician.
“Our democracy has survived turbulent elections because leaders like former President Jonathan understand that the Nigerian state is bigger than any individual”, Shettima added.
The Vice President, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill, congratulated Jonathan and commended the foundation for promoting peace, accountability and the sanctity of human life.
He prayed that its work would continue to inspire future generations and strengthen Africa’s democratic resilience.
Jonathan said politics should not be a playground for people without training, discipline or a sense of duty.
Calling for a reset in Nigeria’s political culture, Jonathan lamented that while every profession requires training and certification, politics remains the only field where individuals emerge overnight as leaders with no preparation or grounding.
He said: “For those of us who are in active politics, I still pray that whatever we do affects everybody. And we must play our politics with decorum, with sense of responsibility, not with rascality. Politics is not a business of rascals.
“Politics is you are trying to create leaders. So you must show that you are an extremely responsible person. Even to teach in primary school, you go through a training process, get school certificate before you can’t even teach in primary school. But it is only in politics that there is no training.
“Somebody just wake up. He’s a politician. You don’t know where the person is coming from. The next day, he’s your governor. No basic training. And it is a problem.
“We must change the face of politics. We must see politics as a business of responsible individuals. Let me not go far before I say things, I am not supposed to say
Jonathan said Nigeria cannot progress if leadership continues to be approached as an all-comers affair, stressing that the country deserves leaders who understand governance, respect institutions and prioritise the welfare of citizens.
The former president also used the event to reflect on the work of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, saying its initial plan was to address a broad range of issues such as poverty alleviation, children’s welfare and hunger.
Jonathan noted that his membership in the forum restricts him from returning to active partisan politics, stressing that its core requirement is neutrality
“Before I play active politics, I must first resign from the West African Elders Forum,” he said.
He thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima, former governors, ministers, lawmakers, diplomats and other dignitaries for honouring the event and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to promoting peace, democracy and public sector reforms.
The former president also expressed sadness over the recent mass abductions in the country, recalling the pain of the Chibok girls’ kidnapping during his administration.
He prayed for the safe return of victims and comfort for bereaved families.
