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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • One-party state ‘ll suffocate Nigerians, lead to anarchy – Jonathan warns

    One-party state ‘ll suffocate Nigerians, lead to anarchy – Jonathan warns

    Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has warned that any attempt or manipulation to impose a one-party system on the nation’s political space will suffocate the country and possibly lead to confusion and anarchy.

    Jonathan gave the warning in Abuja today, Wednesday, during the memorial lecture and day of tribute for the former federal commissioner for information, and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

    The ex-president noted that a one-party state may not be an evil thing as Julius Nyerere of Tanzania used it to unite his country because they have many tribes.

    However, he noted, it was procedural in Tanzania, and not through manipulation.

    According to Jonathan, if a one-party state has become desirable for the country, the process must be thorough and systemic, not by accident or political manipulations.

    The former Nigerian leader’s concern comes against the backdrop of the gale of defections sweeping through the ranks and strongholds of the country’s opposition parties – the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; the Labour Party, LP, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP – to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Jonathan, who described Clark as his father, said that there was no need to look for any replacement for the late Ijaw leader because that would not be achievable as he was a unique personality, with a very sharp memory that no one can beat.

    Jonathan added that Clark was courageous and ready to take on anybody at any time.

  • Rivers Crisis: No country can succeed under dictatorial regime – Jonathan

    Rivers Crisis: No country can succeed under dictatorial regime – Jonathan

    ABUJA – Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that no country can succeed when government officials abuse power and act as in a dictatorship.

    He argued that the crisis in Rivers State reflects wider governance challenges in Nigeria, where key figures in the executive, legislature and judiciary are failing to uphold justice and the rule of law.

    Jonathan delivered his remarks on Saturday at the Annual Colloquium of the Haske Satumari Foundation in Abuja, an event aimed at amplifying marginalised voices and promoting equitable governance.

    He stressed that government decisions have lasting effects and that poor conduct in all branches is undermining democratic institutions.

    The former president expressed concern that compromised institutions deter investment and impede economic growth, as investors are wary of environments where judicial rulings may be influenced.

    He emphasised that sustainable social change requires continuous effort and commitment to good governance, warning that failure to ensure justice and fairness endangers the nation’s stability and future prosperity.

    The former Nigerian leader said, “We’re talking about building a society where no one is oppressed, as reflected in the top paragraph of our national anthem. As a former president, and also from the Niger Delta, when the issue of suspending the governor came out, I think people called on me, ‘President Jonathan you should say something.’

    “What is happening in Nigeria today regarding the situation in river states is like an Indian proverb that said that if somebody is sleeping, really sleeping, you can easily wake up that person. But if that person is pretending to sleep, you find it difficult to wake up that person. The key actors in Nigeria, from executives to the legislature, and the judiciary, they know the correct thing to do, but they are refusing to do it. They are pretending to sleep.

    “Waking such a person is extremely difficult, but the person knows the right thing. The clear abuse of offices, clear abuse of power, clear abuse of privileges, cutting across from the three arms of government, from the executive to the parliament to the judiciary. And I always plead with our people that whatever we do affects everybody.

    “No businessman can bring his money to invest in a country where the judiciary is compromised, where a government functionary can dictate to judges what judgment they will give. No man brings his money to invest in that economy because we are taking a big risk. So whatever we do affects everybody.

    “And if we want to build a nation where our children and our grandchildren, no matter how painful it is, we must strive to do what is right. It may cost us, but we must endeavour and pay the price to insist on doing what is right. Whether you are holding an executive office as a president, a minister, governor, or special advisor, executive, whether you are holding an office in the parliament, senate, or rep, whether you are a judicial officer in high courts or appellate courts, we must strive to do what is right.

    “If we want to build a nation that our children will be proud of. As we engage in these discussions, let us remember that promoting social change is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. It requires a sustained commitment, collective action, and unwavering dedication to the values that promote good governance.”

    Speaking at the colloquium, Kudla Satumari, the foundation’s founder, explained that the event was intended to highlight systemic inequalities and the need for inclusive governance.

    “Our agitation is equity is not to give to people to feel that they are entitled but we want people that deserve to be heard and included in the processes so that we have a fair equitable and justice in the society,” he added.

    Other speakers at the colloquium emphasized that when public officials do not consistently uphold democratic principles, the nation’s institutions and future prosperity are at risk.

  • Why I’ll not comment on emergency declaration in Rivers – Jonathan

    Why I’ll not comment on emergency declaration in Rivers – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday, shied away from commenting on the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers and the suspension of the governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu had, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared the state of emergency, citing the escalating political crisis in the state as reason for the action.

    NAN also reports that the suspension of the governor, his deputy and members of the house of assembly was for an initial period of six months.

    Jonathan, while speaking at a colloquim organised by Haske Satumari Foundation in Abuja on Saturday, said that a lot of people had reached out to him for his comment on the political situation in Rivers.

    “As a leader from the Niger Delta, people had been reaching out to me for my comment on the political situation in Rivers State,” he said.

    The former president, however, said that it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on policies and actions of their successors, to avoid heating up the polity.

    Jonatha, who refused to make any specific comment on the development, however, went proverbial.

    “The situation in Rivers State is like an Indian proverb which says that if somebody is really sleeping, you can easily wake up him, but if the person is pretending to sleep, it will be difficult to wake such a person up,” he said.

    The former president, who was the chairman of the occasion, urged the country’s leadership avoid taking actions that can negatively impact the image of Nigeria.

    NAN reports that the colloquium was on promoting social change and empowerment through diversity, equity and inclusion.

    Jonathan particularly called on the leadership of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary to always do the right thing while in office.

    He also advised them against compromising their offices and positions.

    “Whatever happens in a country, the decisions taken by the executive arm of government, the parliament and the judiciary affect everybody.

    “Whatever we do affects everybody, and if we must build a nation for our children and grandchildren, no matter how painful it is, we must try to do what is right,” he said.

    Jonathan stated that assessment of Nigeria by the international community and how much investment it would be able to attract would depend on the positive actions of its leaders toward advancing democracy and good governance.

    According to him, building the society where no one is oppressed is the hallmark of good leadership, leveraging the transformative power of diversity, equity and inclusion for social change.

    “I believe that it is the hallmark of good leadership and governance to be able to leverage the transformative power of diversity, equity and inclusion for social change.

    “As a leader, I have seen how these values can bring people together, foster a sense of belonging and unlock the full potential of individuals and communities.

    “I have also seen how the absence of these values can lead to division, inequality and social unrest.

    “It is, therefore, our responsibility as leaders and change-makers to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion; one that values and respects the dignity and worth of every human being and protects the interests of all,” he said.

    The former president further stated that any society with these attributes would be deemed to be innovative, resilient and harmonious.

    “I know this because I saw how policies that promoted gender equality, youth empowerment and regional balance during my time as president helped bridge divides and foster national unity,” he said.

  • Rivers: Suspension of Fubara, lawmakers dents Nigeria’s image — Jonathan

    Rivers: Suspension of Fubara, lawmakers dents Nigeria’s image — Jonathan

    Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials of Rivers State, dents Nigeria’s image.

    Jonathan said this while speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday (today).

    He expressed disappointment that elected officials had been removed.

    Meanwhile, same day, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, supported President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

    The party said no responsible government will allow a situation to deteriorate before taking decisive action in the best interest of its citizens.

    NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, told newsmen: “President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria.

    “The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in the public purview.

    “The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.

    “The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticize.”

    Jonathan…

    But for President Jonathan, “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”

    He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity.

    However, Jonathan said, his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State.

    He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country.

    Goodluck Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.

  • Why 2014 Confab Report was not implemented in my administration – Jonathan

    Why 2014 Confab Report was not implemented in my administration – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed why his administration did not implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, citing political tensions and internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 elections.

    Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in Lagos, Jonathan acknowledged Adebanjo’s key role in the conference’s success. He noted that despite initial suspicions about his intentions, the initiative moved forward with the support of respected national figures.

    “Without people like him and other leaders, the conference wouldn’t have taken place,” Jonathan said. He added that while some participants sought his guidance, he preferred to let the experienced delegates make independent decisions.

    Despite the significance of the conference’s recommendations, Jonathan explained that the political climate at the time was unsuitable for implementation. “It was not the time we could present such a document. We believe that one day, a government will review it and adopt it because the outcomes remain relevant,” he said.

    He also mourned the loss of Adebanjo and Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader Edwin Clark, describing them as champions of justice and national development. “He was a man of wisdom, courage, and commitment to truth and justice—values essential for national growth,” Jonathan stated.