Now, Jonathan is greater than his predecessors
Jonathan
PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yesterday took a step that has made him greater than all others before him.
By calling and congratulating Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) even before the final tally, he has demonstrated to the world that indeed Nigeria has come of age.
He has shown the world that the black man is no longer in a dilemma. As it was written in this newspaper last Friday, the management and outcome of this election would affect the profile and indeed, image of the black man in global context.
The reason is not far to seek: Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world. Jonathan set the tone for greatness on Saturday, March 28 when he waited patiently for the fourth card reader to work for him and his wife in Otueke on the day of the election.
The Number One citizen who has been criticised for his simplicity was statesmanly in his response to questions after his ordeal. He was unruffled even when his wife who was in front was always looking back to hear her husband’s presidential outburst. The man was ununfazed, cool and collected.
He even did some strategic public relations for the election management agency as he asked people to be patient with the implications of new technology of the card reader.
All told, the fact that Jonathan nominated Jega who conducted the 2011 election and allowed him to conduct the 2015 elections is remarkable.
The president was said to have resisted the pressure of his henchmen and hawks in his party to send Jega on pre-retirement leave before the election at the weekend.
Since last night when the news of Jonathan’s congratulatory message broke, it has been all praises for the President as that gesture was unexpected and unprecedented.
No incumbent president had lost an election and congratulated the winner in our political history. Even General Abdusalami Abubakar who handed over to Obasanjo on May 29, 1999 confirmed this yesterday when he emerged from a peace meeting with the defeated president.
In an analysis in this newspaper’s special publication on Friday, it was projected that if Jonathan lost the reelection bid and bowed out seamlessly, he could be a candidate of the prestigious MO Ibrahim’s leadership Prize next year.
As it was written then, Jonathan has by his action threatened to assume office of a great man, a rare phenomenon in Nigeria. It is generally believed that there are too many big men in Nigeria and too few great men.
Now, the man from Otueke can beat his chest to General IBB who annulled the famous June 12 election result in 1993 that he has deepened democracy in Nigeria by organising the most credible election in our history. He can also tell General Olusegun Obasanjo that he (Jonathan) has greater democratic credentials by being the first to pave the way for the most peaceful election that he contested and lost. He can add to the Ota big man that to me, ‘election is not a do-or-die affair, after all’.
The first Nigeria’s president with a doctorate degree can also tell even General Gowon that he is sure someone will nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize for making the Nigerian voter to feel very important and influential for the first time. Now the Nigerian voter can look into the seed of time and nurture a glimmer of hope that his vote will count after all whenever he casts it!
Above all, the international community that has observed, seen and assessed the quality of this election will now respect Nigeria as the good image of the black man.
Indeed, Jonathan will leave Aso Villa on May 29 with his head high because he has done what Napoleon could not do! He has become a legend!
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29 Comments
Please rejoice and desist from attempting to compare Jonathan with any Nigerian past or present. He cannot be compared. Just let him be the ultimate patriotic Nigerian – Omo Nigeria. Please, please, please don’t compare him but I’ll ask that all Nigerians emulate his incredible example.
the president has shown maturity in his address to the nation, GEJ was a good leader but surrounded by hypocrites and sycophants that do not have the nation at heart and unfortunately for him his wife was not helping matters during the campaign
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan , The HERO of our Dear Beloved Nation, Nigeria and a shinning example to AFRICA & the WORLD … Demonstrating what TRUE LEADERSHIP is and in his case, overcoming adversity with his intergrity intact!
the president has shown maturity but he wasn`t hero in Africa because Ghana and other Africa countries has shown the world that African leaders are well disciplined and respect rules of the game
Jonathan is a legend indeed.
Jonathan has stolen the show! Indeed, President Jonathan is
the winner in defeat. He has, by phoning his opponent in the election to
concede, even before the final vote was tallied, not only shown rare strength
but also given comfort to his followers and sympathisers who now no longer feel
disgraced, depressed and angry but are gallant, dignified and proud. May I also
add that when the dust finally settles, even in the face of mountains of
corruption and insecurity accusations, Jonathan’s single term might be eventually
seen to have made better concrete achievements than President Obasanjo with his
two terms. There was so much storm raised by Boko Haram that the man’s silent
achievements were consigned to passing oblivion.
God knew why he raised this from no-where of a
Nigerian to power because it is primarily such a man that is better equipped
with intuitive gratitude and is better able to use it to save a nation from
carnage and thus fast-forward it to peace, pride, dignity and international
respect. Thank you President Jonathan.
You have said well my dear brother. I hope the APC and Buhari would learn from this, cause am afraid if they can meet up with expectation. Also, I see more chelsea-like Nigerians if in 2019, we don’t see 50% of this so many promises from them. God bless Nigeria.
Aren’t you just very proud right now to be a Nigerian? I feel 10ft taller, thanks to this incredible Child of Nigeria. Now we can truly claim the title of the greatest country in the continent of Africa. We have Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and we are truly fortunate to have him. I will propose GEJ is elected African leader of moral and caring leadership. Stuff the priest and the imams for here is the truth All those of us preachers of hate take note. He has shown that irrespective of you starting point in life, you can achieve with true dignity. On be half of my family here in the UK, thank you Goodluck. May our ancestors bless you and keep you.
A legend indeed if it was the other way round, there would have been fire burning all over especially in the North, they would have started burning churches and killing southerners. He has demonstrated that he is well and truely a man of peace. I bet you that his name will be in Guiness Book of Records.
President Goodluck has fulfilled his pledge to stage a peaceful, impartial and credible election for Nigerians in Nigeria, not imported. At several fora he has maintained that his re-election is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, and has demonstrated this by conceding defeat. This, beyond any iota of doubt has proven that Dr Goodluck Johnathan is a credible man, fit to manage any office in the world, even as Secretary General of the United Nations. He is a stateman, a peaceful man, though human but a man whose heart is pure and in right standing.
Yes My President, Our Lord Jesus conquered the World with peace and peace He gave us. You have done what others could not do by putting smiles on the faces of your fans in times of defeat. By this you encourage us not to waste our sorrows but to use it as a weapon of strength because of posterity. You are also, the best winner. Congratulations President Goodluck Jonathan.
Please I never expected this kind of flawed analysis from a revered newspaper like Guardian, mind you, Mo Ibrahim award is majorly for good governance which is disappointingly lacking in Jonathans leadership. Bestowing the award on Jonathan for just conceding the presidency will surely belittle the award.
Rubbish, celebrating mediocrity, so him calling to congratulate the winner of an election he tried to rig the whole south south has made him better than his predecessors even though he made a mess of the country economy and divided the country along ethnic and religious lines because of election. If we call him the best because of that what will we call obasanjo and Abubakar who relinquish power as military men without losing election or being ousted by a coup. Rubbish! very soon they will start to call Buhari best president aftyer only 2 years that will make him think he is performing well. sycophants everywhere in Nigeria. Ghana has changed party at presidential level 3 times in the last 10 to 15 years and nobody gave the presidents Nobel prize. I voted Buhari, but from may 30 i resume my opposition status so that they will always be on guard. you people deceived GEJ to thinking he was performing well. For me, the only Nigerian leaders worse than GEJ is ABACHA and Shagari.
Yes, Jonathan concluded his assignment to Nigeria as divinely ordered by the Almighty with grace and dignity, and the baton is now passed to the General to carry on His plans for the nation.. God moves in a mysterious ways, and His ways are not our way neither His thoughts our thoughts and as He had used king Cyrus of the old testament to fulfill His purpose He will do the same for Nigeria. President Jonathan have now paved the way for Nigeria politics to move out of wilderness of vindictiveness, violence and outright sleazy practices into a new era of enlightenment and hope.,. However, left for the wicked and confused opportunists surrounding him( Abati,Fani Kayode, Edwin Clark, Gani Adams, Fasheun, Madueke, Mimiko etc) they never wanted to give it up, but thank God that the President chose to listen to the voice of the people and God. Vox Populi vox dei.
More to this President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is greater than his predecessors, whether Military or Civilian notably in Infrastructure (Roads, Railways, Airports, Dams etc), Corruption Blockage, Social Reform, Education, Agriculture, Economy, Employment, Women Development, and more.
By the grace of God, the price of Petrol in NNPC Filling Stations on the 01 April, 2019 will be compared to what it is today (01 April, 2015 @ N87 per Litre), then Nigerian will decide if the North East, North West, and parts of the North Central & South West took the best decision for Nigeria to look the other way to vote for APC.
We are watching!.
We rejoice with thanks to God for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who performed far better than his predecessors, whether Military or Civilian notably in Infrastructure (Roads, Railways, Airports, Dams etc), Corruption Blockage, Social Reform, Education, Agriculture, Economy, Employment, Women Development, and more.
By the grace of God, the price of Petrol in NNPC Filling Stations on the 01 April, 2019 will be compared to what it is today (01 April, 2015 @ N87 per Litre), then Nigerian will decide if the North East, North West, and parts of the North Central & South West took the best decision for Nigeria to look the other way to vote for APC.
We are watching!.
And probably the massacre of the middle belters by the Fulani herdsmen will end. I learn that Buhari is their patron.
GEJ has fought a good fight of Faith, he has finished his course. There await him a crown of peace both in this world and in the world to come. You has shown Africa and the world the way to lasting peace and true democracy. Indeed, you are a true leader. Thank you Sir, you are indeed the Father of Nigeria.
Goodluck is comparable to people like Mao, Mandela, MLK, Ghandi, not to low life beasts like obasanjo or stark illiterates like buhari or petty thieves like babangida
he has left his mark on the sands of time
shoes too big for anyone to fill
I feel your pain. You will just be fine. But remember – the “stark illiterate is now the PRESIDENT-ELECT. Please accept that and get over your anger and disappointment. Next time, make sure you register to vote and come out to vote. majority who wish for GEJ reelection were not register voters. More so instead of PDP canvassing for votes, they were busy looking for Buhari’s school certificate. Lol. Have a nice day. Sai Baba
Sai Buhari. Nigeria saecular saeculorum.
We hope that Buhari’s win will translate to more almagari schools and poverty alleviation and not excuse as usual because after four years there will be report card and it is the mouth we use to call pass that is also used to call fail. After all some Nigerians took to the street in jubilation when Sani Abacha took office. Also this time they will not blame the south for their backwardness.
Please be positive. Success comes from within. When one think, dream, and believe in success – the end result is success. Take a cue from President-elect Buhari – he contested for the presidency FOUR times before winning. That to me is the power of the mind. Please examine your thought processes, because your success in life depend on that. Have a nice day.
President Jonathan has demonstrated by his act, an uncommon virtue of a typical Nigerian. He will be loved more, revered more, celebrated more and would retain his amiable candour anywhere in Nigeria. He would not need a mob of security men to move around with him. He should build a Jonathan center for peace and democracy. He is indeed the hero of Nigeria’s democracy journey so far. With the strength and pedigree of President elect Buhari, Nigeria may be set to lead Africa in many indices. We hope for better times indeed and may God continue to bless our country.
What is great in losing an election as an incumbent president
Because he saved the blood of your brothers baboons and monkeys from mixing and flowing in the street. Whether you like him or not he has attained a fit that is unprecedented and never before in the history of Nigeria. Don’t be an enemy of progress.
Question:What happens to an employee who is deemed inefficient in his or her duties?
Answer: Sack
I agree, with goose bumps spiraling down my spines, that this man, has exceptional qualities…worthy of a leader and absent from many a leaders…gone by!
Words are not enough…!
Sir, Jonathan, may Heaven be your eternal portion, when your time on earth is folded!
HOW GIVE US A BREAK. GOODLUCK JONATHAN IS TRYING TO SAVE HIS SKIN, HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO WRITING HIS NAME IN GOLD?. THE REAL WINNERS ARE WE THE PEOPLE QED. I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME I HAVE BEEB SAYING THAT WE THE PEOPLE WILL MAKE SURE THAT GOODLUCK JONATHAN WILL BE DEFEATED WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN I HAVE BEEN PROVED VERY RIGHT. THE REAL LOSER IN THIS ELECTION ARE THE IGBO PEOPLE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COULD HAVE COME FROM THAT ZONE. NOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THERE IS NO SENATOR FROM THAT ZONE. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE VERY SHORT SIGHTED VERY GREEDY AND VERY SELFISH PEOPLE AS LEADERS OR PARADE AS LEADERS, WHEN THEY ARE JUST SHAMELESS DEALERS ONLY AFTER THEIR POCKETS AND INTERESTS. THE IGBO PEOPLE MUST NOW USE THEIR ‘NUMBER 6’ AND RECTIFY THIS SELF INFLICTED ANOMALY. I HOPE THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO?
History will remember him forever what a great man and what a shame to previous subverters of democracy all of whom must stop parading as statemen but states rogues for the real stateman is here and will be here forever the previous rogues should be quiet henceforth ,none of them must pretend to wear that name anymore they are state rouges jonathan is the real stateman
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