Politics

Bolaji Abdullahi: Ex-President Jonathan Not Weak, Saved Nigeria from Bloodsheds

A former Minister of Youths and Sports Development under the cabinet of the ex-Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has clarified that the former president was not weak but took action to save the country of bloodshed after he lost his seat at the 2015 presidential election.

Abdullahi, a journalist and former Commissioner for Education in Kwara State, described former President Jonathan as a patriotic Nigeria who as a leader was careful not to hurt anyone, even if it takes him sacrificing his position.

The former Minister made the clarification at the weekend, during the unveiling of his book tilted “On a Platter of Gold: How Jonathan won and lost Nigeria”, hosted by an organisation, the ‘August Meeting’ convened by Mr Kingsley Wali, in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on his experience as a Minister, Abdullahi said the important lesson Jonathan taught everyone is love for th country. He added that the former president never ruled as a dictator, but obeyed the constitution in his leadership.

“Definitely President Jonathan was not weak nor clueless from my experience. Most important thing I know about him is that he is very patriotic, but as a patriot he is also some one who is careful about how he uses power. 

“He (Jonathan) understands the enormity of the power of the president and he used to say that if the president of Nigeria uses 30 percent of his disposal he would become a dictator. 

“So, he is some one who is careful and also reluctant to hurt people. Because of his reluctance to hurt people, it is possible that some one would integrate it as weakness. Some of the things that he did at the time that people regarded him as clueless, some other people have done the same thing or even worse.

“I think he was a victim of that kind of politics of that time. I think if he had been president of this time, he would probably have had a different approach”. 

Abdullahi expressed further that “The most important thing that Jonathan had to teach everybody is love for country. And the care in the use of power. He was very particular, he didn’t want to break the law, he didn’t want to violet the constitution, and didn’t want to do anything that will make him look like a dictator. I think it is something that the current leadership of the country scan learn from him”. 

Speaking on why he wrote the book, the former Minister said “Well I just felt that I was privileged to witness a moment in Nigeria history, and I felt that it is necessary to document it for posterity. So it was like a journalist trying to practice history”. 

Reacting to questions by journalists on the economy challenges and removal of subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Abdullahi explained “Subsidy removal in 2012 was a good policy but implemented at the wrong time. There ought to have been a lot of consultations which did not happen, a lot more constituencies ought to have been carried out but was not done. And the aftermath of it was not properly managed”. 

He however, advised that “Nigerian leadership need to start to create a national story. We need to give Nigerians something to believe in. We need to know who we are and to understand that there is more that connect us than separate us. I do not know what the story would be, but I know that the first thing is to agree that we need a national story”. 

The event also witnessed the launch Education Champions League (ECL), an Incorporated Trustee dedicated to fostering intellectual growth and community enrichment.

Speaking on the ECL, the convener of August Meeting, Wali, said competition will start in April or May in first instance for Secondary schools in Port Harcourt for logistic reasons.

He said the league will be in form of quiz competition among participating schools, pointing out that the first prize winner would take home a total of N10million prize money with 50 percent going to participants, 25 percent to the school and 25 percent to furnish the school library.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

Follow us on:

AriseNews

View Comments

  • ((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111) a minimum price E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION Some Auction Vehicles/Cars For Sale
    Mama Africa #17,000 •Tomatoes Rice # *15,000* •Cap Rice #15,000 •My Food #17,000 •Mama Gold #17,500 •Ade Brazil #15,000 •Elephant Gold #15,000 •Royal Umbrella #15,000 Etc.
    Golf3= 400,000
    Camry Tinny-Light=500,000
    Tundra 1,300,000
    Toyota Exterra=850,000
    Toyota Camry big daddy=650,000
    Toyota Venza= 1.7million
    Toyota Avalon=850,000
    Toyota Rav4=950,000
    Toyota Prado=1.3million
    TOYOTA HILUX=2million
    Toyota Sienna=850,000
    TOYOTA 4-RUNNER=950,000
    Toyota Corolla=650,000
    Toyota Matrix= 700,000
    Toyota Highlander=950,000
    Toyota Picnic=500,000
    Tacoma 1.850,000
    Toyota Hiace Bus=950,000
    Toyota Tundra=1.5million
    Toyota Sequola=900,000
    BMW 5-series=1.960,000
    BMW 3-series=1.640,000
    BMW X6=2.670,000
    Ford Edge=700,000
    Ford Escape=600,000
    Honda Elantra=600,000
    Honda Baby-Boy=700,000
    Dyna Truck 900k
    TIPPER Head 6mill
    ((08166185400) (+234_816__6185_400)
    Honda Accord=550,000
    Honda CRV=650,000
    HONDA CIVIC=500,000
    HONDA EVIL-SPIRIT=750,000
    HONDA ODYSSEY=500,000
    Honda Pilot=850,000
    Nissan pathfinder=800,000
    Nissan Amanda=750,000
    Infinity=950,000
    Benz C250=N1.300,000
    Benz C300=1.6MILLION
    Benz ML350=2 million
    Benz ML300=1.5 million
    Benz ML550=2.6million
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.3Million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.8Million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.Million
    Es330 1.6
    Lexus C5 350=950,000
    IS250 1m
    Lexus Rx300=1.2 million
    Lexus Rx330=1.5 million
    Is350 2mill
    Gx470 1.8mill
    Lexus Rx350= 2 million
    ES350 2mill
    Land Rover Discovery ₦3.2Million
    Land Rover Freelander ₦3.6Million
    Land Range Rover Sport ₦4Million
    Acura MDX ₦1.8Million
    Pequot 206=350,000
    Pequot 406=470,000
    Pequot 607=650,000
    .....
    ((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111

Recent Posts

German Consulate Hosts Unity Day In Lagos as Diplomatic Ties Bloom

The 34th anniversary of German Unity celebrated in Lagos, was hosted by Consul General Weert…

2 hours ago

Matt Gaetz To Exit Congress Following Withdrawal As DOJ Nominee Amid Controversy

Matt Gaetz has said he will not return to Congress after withdrawing as Trump’s DOJ…

5 hours ago

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval For Oluyede As Chief Of Army Staff

President Tinubu has sought Senate confirmation of Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff, citing…

5 hours ago

Netanyahu Risks Arrest in UK as ICC Issues Warrant Against Him For War Crimes

Israeli PM Netanyahu faces potential arrest in the UK as Downing Street pledges to fulfill…

8 hours ago

Second Australian Teen Dies from Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos

A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing to six…

8 hours ago

Simon Ekpa Arrested, Denies Being IPOB Leader + Atiku Says Tinubu’s Loans Are Bone-Crushing – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlFl1mPGC8 The arrest of self-proclaimed Prime minister of the Biafra Republic, Simon Ekpa who was…

8 hours ago