Former President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, GCON (born 20 November 1957) has played a pivotal role in the growth of peace and Democracy in the African continent.
During his tenure as the President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was known for giving room to the rule of law to prevail in a society called Nigeria.
A peace-loving Ijaw man, we could recall that as the Vice President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010, Goodluck was also a loyal Vice to his Principal. This formed a cordiality, which has been unique and unmatched till date in the history of democratic rule in our country. He was also the Governor of oil-rich Bayelsa State from 2005 to 2007.
After the 2015 elections, many wondered what was next for the former President, knowing fully that he had reached the peak of his political career.
Surprisingly, the Ijaw man carved a niche for himself in the international community. Since his concession, the former president is experiencing something of a renaissance as a senior statesman, in certain circles that matter. He has been honoured with international awards and invited to deliver keynote remarks at global conferences on everything from peace-building to improving educational opportunities.
Many have sought-after him, as he is considered the champion of democracy. His integrity has led him to pick up duties such as the leader of international election observation teams for the National Democratic Institute in Liberia and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in South Africa.
Goodluck Jonathan’s dominance in the peace keeping space in Africa, is quite fascinating. He is now considered a senior statesman, whose opinion on National and international issues are covered by the Press.
Perhaps his kind of reputational convalescence is not different from the kind of luck that has always shone on him, since the days he governed Bayelsa, to when he was picked to Vice Yar’Adua and when he became an ‘Accidental’ President. All were graced.
He has amassed a massive wealth of experience as a President and an Envoy in the international community. His opinion on National and international issues has become more popular, while the former President has been seen attending to issues bothering on peace keeping outside the country.
Jonathan has become an example for other leaders, with doubted records to find their grand gesture for the greater good as a way to clear the slate and open the door to a different life of service.
Recently, he was appointed by ECOWAS as its mediator to bring together Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and leaders of the opposition movement for talks.
Jonathan held talks with religious leader Bouyé Haïdara on 12 August, 2020, where the former Nigeria president resumed his mediation efforts in Bamako. He held a series of meetings with representatives of the presidential majority coalition as well as leaders of the 5 June Movement – Rally of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP), which continues to call for the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK).
Mali has been in the midst of a political crisis for months following the disputed April parliamentary elections. Protesters are railing against the corruption, weak economic growth and continued conflict under the Keïta administration.
The former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan succeeded in reaching a truce between the warring parties in Mali, which also saw the swearing in of a Transitional President.
He attended the ceremony as representative of ECOWAS, pressing for a quick return to a civilian government. The regional group held days of talks with the junta and other political and civil groups in Mali to encourage a return to democracy.
Through his intervention, ECOWAS closed borders to Mali and stopped financial flows and has said it will only lift those sanctions once it approves of the transitional plan.
Jonathan ensured this, and has since been positive about the junta’s proposals.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the Editorial Board of TheScript Newspaper
