Society Gists

Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on Friday, October 27, reminded Nigerians that elections were over and that it was time for the nation to move forward.

The former president, who stated this after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, also called on the political leaders, especially former presidents to come together to ensure the citizens do not suffer.

He also asserted that the ability of Nigeria to lead the African continent has become a consensus among African countries.

Jonathan said: “We need to bring all our political leaders, including all our former Presidents together, we will not be fighting, if top leaders continue fighting they will not suffer that much, but the downtrodden will suffer and we want to end that tension so we move forward. Elections are over and so we must move forward.”

He also said that Nigeria has all it takes to lead the Black continent, despite the current economic challenges facing the nation.

The ex-president noted: “That is what all Africans are saying, I had a program on democracy dialogue and Prof Lumumba spoke there, he emphasized the need for Nigeria to take a lead in Africa. Yes, we have challenges economically now but we still have what it takes to lead Africa.

“These are some of the issues I will continue to have conversations with Mr President on, including briefing him on all my foreign programs. They are not personal issues, traditionally former presidents go outside the country for continental or regional programs, and even some international ones.

“When you come home you brief the President that is the tradition. Most times when you see me here that is what we come to do, to move Nigeria forward, to move ECOWAS forward and to move the African continent forward”, the former President said.

He added that he seized the opportunity to update President Tinubu about his regional, and continental engagements, to also congratulate him on his victory at the Supreme Court.

Jonathan said: “I have been involved in a number of things in West Africa and Africa. In fact tomorrow I will be in Kenya and on the 14th of November I will be in Liberia, so I am like a roving Ambassador seeing how we can bring peace to the sub-region and the continent.

“My visit would have taken place since last week but it couldn’t hold today it has now coincided with the judgement of the supreme court of yesterday. So it is an opportunity for me to also congratulate Mr President. We talked a lot about the country. You will see more of me because there are certain things we discussed and the country must move forward”, Jonathan added.

He acknowledged the current economic concerns affecting the country, he added that the country will overcome its financial trials with adequate support for the government.

He stated: “That is what all Africans are saying when my foundation had a program on democracy dialogue and Professor Lumumba spoke there, he emphasized the need for Nigeria to take a lead in Africa. Yes, we have challenges economically now, but we still have what it takes to lead Africa.”