FORMER Military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, says Jonathan proved that he loves Nigeria more than he loves power by peacefully conceding victory to Muhammadu Buhari after the 2015 presidential election.
Abubakar made the comments during the public presentation of Jonathan’s book titled ‘My Transitional Hours’ in Abuja on Tuesday.
“We cannot thank you enough for the peace we are having in the country today; for the peaceful transition we had when you freely and voluntarily conceded defeat,” Abubakar said.
“By your decision, you have shown that you love your country more than you love power”.
Jonathan’s book told the stories of the events that took place before, during, and after the 2015 election, including the role played by the American government, then headed by Barrack Obama.
Also speaking at the event, the immediate past President of Ghana, John Mahama, said he and Jonathan had a lot of things in common, having assumed power after the demise of the former presidents of their respective countries.
He also said they both became president after the passing of their presidents in office.
Mahama said during the counting of votes after the 2015 election, many members of the international community, especially from the UK and USA, called him to prevail on Jonathan to accept defeat.
“They were afraid that like a typical African leader he would try to hold on to power. But I told them there was no need, Jonathan is a good man and he would do the right thing,” he said.
“For him, politics was not a matter of life and death. His decision in 2015 was not surprising to me at all.
“When the history of Nigerian democracy is written, President Jonathan’s name will be written in gold,” Mahama said.
President Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, described Jonathan as a true democrat.
“You are a leader of the past, of now and of the future; you will rise again; I wish you the best you wish yourself,” Buhari said.
Among the many dignitaries that attended the event were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents, Namadi Sambo and Atiku Abubakar, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole.
Former presidents of Benin and Sierra Leone were also in attendance.