Former President Goodluck Jonathan opened up about his emotional experience following his 2015 election loss, describing it as one of the toughest moments in his political career.
Speaking on Friday at the inaugural Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja, Jonathan reflected on the challenges he faced as he came to terms with the outcome, feeling as though “the whole world was against” him.
Running under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jonathan was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 15,424,921 votes to Jonathan’s 12,853,162.
This election marked a historic moment in Nigeria as the first time an incumbent president lost re-election.
Jonathan also shared the support he received from Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Communications, who he said played a fatherly role during the transition period.
He said, “It is not easy to lose an election as a president. You will think the whole world is against you. But then, Dokpesi invited me before I handed over. I remember what he said to me when I lost the election.
“There were so many senior Nigerians (elder statesmen) who spoke. After I listened to all the conversations, he congratulated me and encouraged me to look beyond the election. This is how I commemorated that session.
“That communication gave me hope and helped me not necessarily for the transition hour ahead of me but also in my spiritual life as a private citizen. If you read my book, My Transition Hours, I explain it more elaborately.”
Earlier in his address, the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, urged Nigerians not to abuse the freedom of speech they are enjoying.
While describing Dokpesi as a patriot and exceptional media personality, Mohammed suggested that others should borrow a leaf from his exemplary lifestyle of nation-building.
“Our respect for freedom of speech is sacrosanct even as we continue to urge responsibility in the exercise of this freedom. Nigerians are free to speak about this dear country of ours. What we can and will continue to do is to avoid getting to the point where reckless negativity becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts.
“We will make a grievous error individually and collectively if we choose to focus only on what is not working and neglect to balance it with equal attention to the things we are getting right. And we are getting a lot of things right as a nation even in our present circumstances.
“The media has an important role to play in strengthening this balanced approach through your reportage as shepherds and drivers of public opinion. The late Dokpesi played his part, and he did it in a way that he will never be forgotten,” he stated.
(Punch)
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