Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has explained why he doesn’t comment on national issues since after leaving office well over 4 years ago.
Speaking to Sahara Reporters Columnist, Franklin Onwubiko, at the Niamey, Niger Republic during a summit on Constitutional Term Limits.
Speaking to Mr Onwubiko, the Otueke born politician said; “Let me thank you for asking me that question. That means you want to hear my voice, otherwise you would not have asked why I have been a bit silent on national issues.
“I may not be 100 per cent right. I believe a former president has to be careful in commenting on national issues; otherwise you become a nuisance to society.
“Because having being the president of the country for a period of time, there is a number of information available to you; you do not always expect a sitting president to do things exactly the way you did, and sometimes, when you try to comment on national issues, of course, there are people that will defend the president, sometimes, they leave the subject matter and begin to castigate some aspects of your administration they observed weaknesses in, in order to divert the attention of the general public from the issue.
“Yes, former presidents should make comments from time to time on national issues but it should be issues that are quite critical; issues you think you will not be able to reach out to the president; if you reach the president and have conversations with him, you do not need to go to the media and discuss the issues otherwise you will create more problems in your country.
“In Nigeria, we have this platform; the council of state that former presidents belong to, it could be a good platform to discuss issues.
“I do not advise that a former president should be active in political commentary; it will create more problems than solving the problem.”
Mr. Onwubiko also asked him if he regretted conceding to President Buhari.
He said, “I always say that if you want to take a public office, you should be ready to make personal sacrifices.
“If you are not ready to help people, then you have no business going into politics.
“We should also know the process of building a society. People die in the process of a building a society.
“I have no regret up to this time, no matter the circumstances; I have no regret because what I did will continue to shape political discussions, not only in Nigeria but across the continent.
“Some people may not appreciate it, but as we continue to strengthen democracy, people will begin to look at conducts that are acceptable and some that are not.
“If the little contribution I have made will help to improve our democracy in the country and on the continent, yes, I will do the same thing again.”
When an educated man speaks you dont need an interpreter and he thinks before he speaks