Fifty-eight years ago, former President Goodluck Jonathan was born in Otueke, a predominantly fishing community, presently in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Ex-President Jonathan casting his vote in the March 28, 2015 Presidential election. He lost to General Muhammadu Buhari, but called him shortly to concede defeat and congratulate him.
On that fateful Wednesday of November 20, 1957, baby Jonathan was born into the family of Mr. Lawrence Jonathan. His mother is Mrs Eunice.
Rising from what he (Jonathan) has always described as a journey from ‘grass to grace,’ the son of canoe makers, rose from a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State to becoming Nigeria’s President, the highest office in the country.
Jonathan, who held sway as the country’s No. 1 citizen for 60 months/24days (5 May 2010 – 29 May 2015) is many things to many people.
For instance, recently, Jonathan who led the Commonwealth international observers team to monitor the Tanzanian general election held on October 25, 2015, was described as ‘a hero of free and fair election in Africa,’ having contributed largely to the successful conduct of the election which was declared peaceful, free, fair and credible by international observers.
Basking in the euphoria of the high respect they have for Jonathan, particularly for making that unusual and unprecedented sacrifice to concede defeat to his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari (now President), The Daily News of Tanzania, in an editorial before the election, titled, ‘Salutary lessons for Tanzania from Nigeria’s latest elections,’ paid glowing tributes to Jonathan.
The newspaper commended him for taking his defeat in the last presidential election “in all magnanimity,” stressing that, “Jonathan may very well have averted bloodshed that is characteristic of incumbent leaders who cling in power tooth and nail, fang and claw! What lesson is there in this for us in Tanzania, pray?”
The paper maintained: “It is generally admitted that the election in Nigeria was unprecedentedly free, fair and transparent, whereby the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, won the Presidency. What is more remarkable is that the incumbent president who sought re-election, Goodluck Jonathan, … most graciously accepted the results promptly!
“Oh, I don’t know beyond the fact that Tanzania could tragically do worse if it fails to dedicatedly take a leaf out of Nigeria’s newest book on elections!”
Similarly, the Guardian of Tanzania, in its own editorial entitled, ‘High profile figures among observers will add credibility to poll process, results’, poured encomiums on the former Nigerian president, describing him as a democrat who has pointed the way forward for the rest of Africa.
The Guardian further wrote that “Jonathan’s voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that it is rare for sitting presidents in Africa to hand over powers to winning opposition parties.”
Against this backdrop, Vanguard captures 58 quotable quotes of Ex-President Jonathan as he clocks 58.
Quote 1
The stronger the boat of (democracy), the more it is able to meet the challenges of its voyage and deliver on its promise to citizens.
Quote 2
The air of freedom we breathe today is the result of the sacrifices of thousands of pro-democracy activists, human rights campaigners and others who organised as civil society.
Quote 3
My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Quote 4
No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions.
Quote 5
In the comfort of our offices, let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line.
Quote 6
Terrorism has no conscience and spares no one.
Quote 7
Any society or country that closes the vital valves of its democratic space cannot develop at a reasonable pace
Quote 8
Where there is no opportunity for one man one vote, there will be no accountability and no responsibility.
Quote 9
Democracy is a journey that every nation mindful of advancing the liberty of its citizens must undertake.
Quote 10
Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Quote 11
Our votes must count! One man, one vote! One woman, one vote! One youth, one vote!
Quote 12
Nobody should rig for me. I am assuring Nigerians that though I am contesting, nobody must manipulate votes in my favour. Our votes must count.
Quote 13
I congratulate the candidates of the other political parties. I regard them not as opponents but as partners.
Quote 14
In presenting myself for service, I make no pretense that I have a magic wand that will solve all of Nigeria’s problems or that I am the most intelligent Nigerian.
Ex-President Jonathan casting his vote in the March 28, 2015 Presidential election. He lost to General Muhammadu Buhari, but called him shortly to concede defeat and congratulate him.
On that fateful Wednesday of November 20, 1957, baby Jonathan was born into the family of Mr. Lawrence Jonathan. His mother is Mrs Eunice.
Rising from what he (Jonathan) has always described as a journey from ‘grass to grace,’ the son of canoe makers, rose from a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State to becoming Nigeria’s President, the highest office in the country.
Jonathan, who held sway as the country’s No. 1 citizen for 60 months/24days (5 May 2010 – 29 May 2015) is many things to many people.
For instance, recently, Jonathan who led the Commonwealth international observers team to monitor the Tanzanian general election held on October 25, 2015, was described as ‘a hero of free and fair election in Africa,’ having contributed largely to the successful conduct of the election which was declared peaceful, free, fair and credible by international observers.
Basking in the euphoria of the high respect they have for Jonathan, particularly for making that unusual and unprecedented sacrifice to concede defeat to his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari (now President), The Daily News of Tanzania, in an editorial before the election, titled, ‘Salutary lessons for Tanzania from Nigeria’s latest elections,’ paid glowing tributes to Jonathan.
The newspaper commended him for taking his defeat in the last presidential election “in all magnanimity,” stressing that, “Jonathan may very well have averted bloodshed that is characteristic of incumbent leaders who cling in power tooth and nail, fang and claw! What lesson is there in this for us in Tanzania, pray?”
The paper maintained: “It is generally admitted that the election in Nigeria was unprecedentedly free, fair and transparent, whereby the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, won the Presidency. What is more remarkable is that the incumbent president who sought re-election, Goodluck Jonathan, … most graciously accepted the results promptly!
“Oh, I don’t know beyond the fact that Tanzania could tragically do worse if it fails to dedicatedly take a leaf out of Nigeria’s newest book on elections!”
Similarly, the Guardian of Tanzania, in its own editorial entitled, ‘High profile figures among observers will add credibility to poll process, results’, poured encomiums on the former Nigerian president, describing him as a democrat who has pointed the way forward for the rest of Africa.
The Guardian further wrote that “Jonathan’s voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that it is rare for sitting presidents in Africa to hand over powers to winning opposition parties.”
Against this backdrop, Vanguard captures 58 quotable quotes of Ex-President Jonathan as he clocks 58.
Quote 1
The stronger the boat of (democracy), the more it is able to meet the challenges of its voyage and deliver on its promise to citizens.
Quote 2
The air of freedom we breathe today is the result of the sacrifices of thousands of pro-democracy activists, human rights campaigners and others who organised as civil society.
Quote 3
My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Quote 4
No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions.
Quote 5
In the comfort of our offices, let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line.
Quote 6
Terrorism has no conscience and spares no one.
Quote 7
Any society or country that closes the vital valves of its democratic space cannot develop at a reasonable pace
Quote 8
Where there is no opportunity for one man one vote, there will be no accountability and no responsibility.
Quote 9
Democracy is a journey that every nation mindful of advancing the liberty of its citizens must undertake.
Quote 10
Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Quote 11
Our votes must count! One man, one vote! One woman, one vote! One youth, one vote!
Quote 12
Nobody should rig for me. I am assuring Nigerians that though I am contesting, nobody must manipulate votes in my favour. Our votes must count.
Quote 13
I congratulate the candidates of the other political parties. I regard them not as opponents but as partners.
Quote 14
In presenting myself for service, I make no pretense that I have a magic wand that will solve all of Nigeria’s problems or that I am the most intelligent Nigerian.
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