Former President Goodluck Jonathan says his membership in the West African Elders Forum is one of the reasons for his continued absence from active and partisan politics.
Jonathan made the remark in Abuja while speaking at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) on Thursday, themed “Legacy of Impact, Celebrating Our Journey.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event also featured a gala dinner held in celebration of Jonathan’s 68th birthday.
Explaining his absence from active politics to associates, Jonathan said WAEF membership comes with a strict condition of non-partisanship. He described the forum as a preventive diplomacy initiative composed of former heads of state who visit countries within the sub-region during elections to mediate and prevent crises arising from poorly managed polls.
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Jonathan added: “The condition to be a member of the WAEF is that you must be a former president within the sub-region and a former president of ECOWAS. One clear condition is that you will no longer be an active politician, and that is why I am disappointing most of my political associates. They expect me to play an active role in politics, but before I do, I must first resign from the WAEF.”
On the state of the nation, Jonathan decried what he termed “rascality” in politics, urging politicians to conduct themselves with decorum and responsibility.
He observed that unlike professions such as teaching, which require training and certification, many people enter politics and assume leadership positions without proper preparation.
“We must change the face of politics. We must see politics as a business of responsible individuals, not a business of rascals that they play in the motor park,” he said.
The former president also expressed deep sadness over the recent kidnapping of about 25 girls in Kebbi State, noting that the incident reminded him of the abduction of the Chibok girls during his tenure. He offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, including a vice principal, and called for prayers for the safe rescue of the abductees and an end to such tragedies.
Punch/Timothy Kayode
