Admin l Thursday, June 03, 2021
ABUJA, Nigeria – Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been honoured by Blueprint Newspaper as the Icon of Democracy in Africa.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan thanked management of blueprint for the award.
“I thank the management and staff of Blueprint Newspapers for honouring me with the ‘Icon of Democracy in Africa’ Award, today, during their 2020 Impact and Award Series event in Abuja”, he said.
But why the award? GEJ was honoured by the newspaper for his sterling qualities as a leader. Jonathan remains the most democratic President Nigeria will ever have for the following reasons.
There were no mysterious death during his 6 year reign, there was total freedom of speech, association and freedom to protest without brutality. He was the most abused sitting president and even stoned in the north during his presidential campaign yet his security orderly did not retaliate.
He was called all sorts of name including goat, and his coffin carried about during protest without any harassment. In fact former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo accused him of training snipers, an accusation that could have landed OBJ in prison for treason for his failure to provide any proof to that effect to date.
GEJ’s electoral reforms remain the best Nigeria has had since independence making it possible for voters to be accredited with the electronic voters card, which could eliminate rigging to the barest minimum if totally implemented. His electoral reforms have not been improved and may not be improved by the present government.
He called for constitutional amendment to make the presidency a one term of six years to prevent cost associated with presidential elections and tension that come with it.
He also called for removal of immunity clause to make it possible for both serving President and governors to be investigated and tried while in office. He also introduced the Treasury Single Account(TSA) which has become the fulcrum in the fight against corruption.
GEJ remains the most sincere in his approach to governance and down to earth and he has been widely acknowledged as the most humble president Nigeria could ever have.
His greatest being his ability to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari even before INEC could finish announcing results of the 2015 elections.
