Losing election as incumbent president not easy — Jonathan

October 25, 2024

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has opened up about the emotional turmoil he experienced after losing the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan, who was Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, admitted that it felt like the whole world was against him when he lost the election.

He shared his story at the 1st Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja, organised by Daar Communications and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

Jonathan revealed that he was deeply emotional when he learned of the election results but found solace in the words of encouragement from Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Communications.

Dokpesi’s support played a significant role in helping Jonathan cope with the loss.

Jonathan recounted how Dokpesi invited him before the official handover to Buhari and offered words of encouragement, reminding him to look beyond the election. This experience not only helped Jonathan navigate the transition period but also had a profound impact on his spiritual life as a private citizen.

“It is not easy to lose an election as a president. You will think the whole world is against you. But then, Dokpesi invited me before I handed over. I remember what he said to me when I lost the election.

“There were so many senior Nigerians (elder statesmen) who spoke. After I listened to all the conversations, he congratulated me and encouraged me to look beyond the election. This is how I commemorated that session.

“That communication gave me hope and helped me not necessarily for the transition hour ahead of me but also in my spiritual life as a private citizen. If you read my book, My Transition Hours, I explain it more elaborately,” he revealed.

Jonathan’s loss marked a historic moment in Nigeria, as he was the first incumbent president to concede defeat in an election, paving the way for a peaceful transition of power.

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