Former President Goodluck Jonathan reflected on Friday on the experience of losing the 2015 presidential election, calling it a challenging period in his political career.
He also highlighted the supportive, fatherly role played by Daar Communications Chairman, Raymond Dokpesi, in the days leading up to his handover to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan shared these thoughts in Abuja during the inaugural Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, organized by Daar Communications in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Running under the Peoples Democratic Party, Jonathan was defeated in 2015 by All Progressives Congress candidate Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan said, “Losing an election as a president is not easy. It can feel like the whole world is against you. But before I handed over, Dokpesi invited me and I remember what he said to me after my defeat.”
There were many senior Nigerian statesmen who spoke. After listening to all their words, he congratulated me and encouraged me to look beyond the election, and that is how I remember that moment.
That conversation gave me hope, not only for the transition ahead but also in my personal spiritual journey. I explain it more fully in my book, My Transition Hours.
In his address, Minister of Information Idris Mohammed urged Nigerians to use their freedom of speech responsibly.
“Our commitment to freedom of speech is unwavering, yet we encourage responsible use of this freedom. Nigerians have the right to speak about our beloved country, but we must avoid allowing reckless negativity to turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Mohammed said.
