Goodluck Jonathan: I Hold No Grudges, Forgiveness Key to Nigeria’s Progress

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that he harbours no resentment over past actions against him, emphasizing that forgiveness and reconciliation are vital for political stability, national unity, and national development.

Jonathan made the remarks on Wednesday evening in Abuja during a requiem mass held in honour of the late Chief Audu Ogbeh.

“Chief Ogbeh was a man who did not seek revenge. He believed the past should be left behind and that we must keep moving forward. In that sense, he was just like me. If you hurt me today, I will forgive you. I don’t carry grudges against anybody. I believe the past is past, and I move on,” Jonathan said.

He recalled his relationship with Ogbeh began during his time as deputy governor when Ogbeh was National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I didn’t know Chief Ogbeh until I became a deputy governor when he was serving as National Chairman of the PDP. At that time, deputy governors were often seen as spare tyres, but he treated me as a close friend. Whenever I visited Abuja, I would go to see him, and we always had good conversations. He was such a kind and generous person,” Jonathan recounted.

According to him, their cordial relationship endured even after he became President.
“Whenever he wanted to see me, he would come, and sometimes, we would spend up to an hour discussing national issues,” he added.

Jonathan urged Nigerian politicians to emulate Ogbeh’s values of humility, forgiveness, and inclusiveness, stressing that such virtues are essential for the country’s progress.