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  • Politics
  • Updated: May 11, 2020

I'm Being Misunderstood - Jonathan Explains His Low-key Participation In Politics

I'm Being Misunderstood - Jonathan Explains His Low-key Part

 

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend disclosed that he is now moving away from being an effective partisan politician in order to focus on his foundation, noting that this was to avoid a situation where prospective partners will be cautious when relating with him.

The former president, who is Nigeria’s first sitting president to concede defeat even before the official announcement of opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, as winner in 2015, went on to set up the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, GJF, shortly after his exit from Aso Villa.

The foundation, with head office in Yenagoa and a subsidiary office in Abuja, was set up “to serve as a platform to champion and catalyse the positive social and economic progress being experienced across Africa, by focusing on promoting peace and stability, and enterprise development,” two key issues which Jonathan believes can yield far-reaching positive outcomes at scale across the continent.

While observing that his absence from political activities was being misunderstood, Jonathan explained that he was actually moving away from being “an effective partisan politician” to focus more attention on his foundation so that the realisation of its goals would not be marred by partisanship.

The ex-president, who spoke during the inauguration of Bayelsa executive council of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by Governor Douye Diri, said, “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 with 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,” he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Diri’s acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dan Alabrah.

Jonathan 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, pointing out that the survival of the party in the state depends on its capacity to effectively manage its affairs.

“You have an enormous responsibility before you. You must work with the governor and not at cross purposes.

“No matter how strong a party is, if the people don’t appreciate you, you would be struggling to have them on your side. I know you will work harmoniously with members and carry everyone along,” he added.

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