Goodluck Jonathan

thumb|Jonathan at the World Economic Forum in 2013 Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (born 20 November 1957) is a Nigerian politician who served as the president of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. He lost the 2015 presidential election to former military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari, and was the first incumbent president in Nigerian history to concede defeat in an election. Quotes Good governance can neither be decreed as you will find in dictatorships nor legislated in a democratic set up alone. It can only be achieved by a people’s consensus around doing the right thing for the right purpose. INTERVIEW: The Legacies I Left For Nigeria — Ex-President. Premium Times Nigeria, 11 October 2019 I believe that with what we left behind and with what the new government will also acquire we will be able to [bring] this war on terror to a reasonable conclusion. Video: Goodluck Jonathan talks of Boko Haram fight. France24.com, 28 January 2016 I like to ask people: was it that there was 24-hour electricity and Jonathan came and switched it off and damaged the equipment? The answer is no. Power is an age-old problem in Nigeria and we have to understand that. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: You will soon see that APC is grossly overrated, says Jonathan. TheCable, 26 March 2015. I can tell you very clearly that violence will not break out because of my interests. I can tell you very clearly. Transcript: CNN interviews Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. CNN.com, 1 October 2010. Politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals. https://www.thecable.ng/jonathan-nigerian-politics-is-about-betrayal-i-witnessed-it-in-2015/ In Nigerian Politics, you find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning and in the evening. Most Nigerian politicians, you cannot take their words to the bank. Politics in the Nigerian Standard,You will find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning and say the same thing in the afternoon and in the evening. With so many well-ironed khaki people around you with assault rifles and APCs, saying that we will stay on and for you to have the courage to say no, it takes somebody who has a common commitment to the peace and progress of the country. Speaking about Abubakar's strong will But if there is anybody that we can give credit to who has stabilised democracy in Nigeria today, it is General Abdulsalami Abubakar Speaking about Abubakar's push in stabilising Democracy I was not born rich and in my youth, I never imagined that I would be where I am today, but not once did I ever give up. Speaking about his early days 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. Speaking about democracy We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria. Speaking about those who threaten Nigeria's sovereign integrity Nigeria is a nation of resilient people. We will never yield to the forces of darkness. Nigeria will never ever, disintegrate. Speaking about Nigerians In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. I carried my books in my hands but never despaired; no car to take me to school, but I never despaired. There were days I had only one meal but I never despaired. I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day, but I never despaired. Didn’t have power, didn’t have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired. In spite of these, I finished secondary school attended the University of Port Harcourt and now hold a doctorate degree. Speaking about his early day struggles The time of lamentation is over. This is the era of transformation. This is the time for action. Speaking about the time of lamentation Economic diplomacy does not need to be a zero-sum game where the gain of partner automatically translates to the loss of the other. Speaking about economic diplomacy I am happy that the black man has put the shame of dispossession behind him and is moving on. Speaking about the black man I want to assure Nigerians that crude oil is not our ‘Black Gold.’ The real ‘Black Gold’ of Nigeria are her people and they can grow in value from gold to diamond via education. Speaking about crude oil's importance for Nigerians While we may not have landed a spaceship on the moon or developed nuclear technology, our inventors and innovators have made globally acknowledged contributions Speaking abou nigeria's contribution to innovation Separation of power is not separation of government. Speaking about seperation of power It is the supreme task of this generation to give hope to the hopeless strength to the weak and protection to the defenseless. Speaking about the task of this generation As the most populous black nation on earth it seems our manifest destiny is to champion the cause of African emancipation and integration. Speaking about Nigeria's role in the cause of Africa The beauty of democracy is that its practice is never final and always has room for improvement no matter how old a democratic society may be. Where we falter we must not fall. When we are weak, we must not surrender. Speaking about the beauty of democracy On the football field, nobody cares who scores for Nigeria. You can be a Musa or a Moses; you can be a Christopher or a Mustapha, nobody cares. Speaking about Nigeria's football Africa must declare an end to the era of self-inflicted wars and conflicts. Speaking about Africa Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people. Speaking about Nigerian's We must quickly move away from partisan battlegrounds and find the national common ground. Speaking about partisan battlegrounds Africa must turn its begging bowls into baskets of prosperity and opportunity. Speaking about Africa's need to utilize it's opportunity Cynicism and scepticism will not help our journey to greatness. Let us all believe in a new Nigeria. Speaking about effects of Cynicism and scepticism 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. Speaking about the impact of others in democracy As we strive to advance our democratic development, there will be times when our will shall be tested, our patience provoked and our belief questioned. Speaking about advancing our democratic development No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror. Speaking about nigeria's stand against terror Transformation in my view simply means taking what you have and making the best of it and in so doing produce results that can bring about a paradigm shift. Speaking about transformation I am loyal to Nigeria’s economy. I don’t have accounts or property abroad. All my children live and school in Nigeria. Speaking about his loyalty African renaissance remains an unfinished business, but the work that remains should not stop us from focusing on new priorities and challenges. Speaking about his loyalty The quality of governance is as good as the quality of the civil service. Speaking about african renaissance I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians. To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices. Speaking about his desire not to inflict pain We must develop a democratic culture in which the will of the people will be treated as sacred and be immune to subversion by anti-democratic elements. Speaking about developing a democratic culture Over-dependence on oil has put an unpleasant bracket in our national economic freedom. Speaking about over-dependence on oil Let me put you on notice: the assignment of offices is not an allocation of privileges. Speaking about assignment of offices The best advertisement for good governance is its positive expressions of happiness in the lives of the governed. Speaking about the best advertisement for good governance We are not sworn enemies… We are neighbours who sometimes offend each other, but can always sit down to talk over our differences. Speaking about us as neighbours Our founding fathers… did not dream of a country where neighbours and friends would exchange bullets in place of handshakes. Speaking about the dreams of our founding fathers My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Speaking about his political ambition The dark patches in the Niger Delta will give way to light. Speaking about the Niger Delta No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions. Speaking about his minister's assignment The goal of achieving positive macroeconomic stability is no end in itself. Speaking about positive macroeconomic stability In the comfort of our offices, let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line. Speaking for the masses Peace and security are the barest irreducible conditions for social and economic development. Speaking about peace and insecurity Terrorism has no conscience and spares no one. Speaking about terrorism Any society or country that closes the vital valves of its democratic space cannot develop at a reasonable pace Speaking about defying democratic spaces Where there is no opportunity for one man one vote, there will be no accountability and no responsibility. Speaking about voting If God did not will it we will not be Nigerians. Speaking about God's will Democracy is a journey that every nation mindful of advancing the liberty of its citizens must undertake. Speaking about democracy Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. Speaking about political ambition We may not have overcome our challenges, but neither have our challenges overcome us. Speaking about about overcoming challenges For the PDP family, the contest for party offices does not produce winners and losers. Speaking for the PDP Family We are all Nigerians and I will be a President to all. This is the new dawn we crave Speaking about Nigerians Our votes must count! One man, one vote! One woman, one vote! One youth, one vote! Speaking about voting 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. Speaking about voting I prefer to see the silver lining in the dark cloud rather than the dark cloud in the silver lining. Speaking about sight I congratulate the candidates of the other political parties. I regard them not as opponents but as partners. Speaking about poliitical parties We have a duty to be loyal to our country. Speaking about loyalty to Nigeria 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. Speaking about his view on service I have come to launch a campaign of ideas, not one of calumny. I have come to preach love, not hate. I have come to break you away from divisive tendencies of the past which have slowed our drive to true nationhood. I have no enemies to fight. You are all my friends and we share a common destiny. Speaking about his intentions Democracy calls for sacrifice and tolerance an open ear and a strong voice. Speaking about democracy Our unity is firm, our purpose strong, our determination unshakable. Speaking about unity Being a Nigerian is a blessing (and) a great responsibility. Speaking about blessing of beng a Nigerian I believe in the politics of give and take. Speaking about his view on politics External links Goodluck Jonathan Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Presidents of Nigeria Category:Zoologists Category:Christians