Former President Goodluck Jonathan has finally revealed why his administration failed to implement the 2014 National Conference recommendations. He blames the political crisis within the PDP and the tense atmosphere before the 2015 elections. Read the shocking details now.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has finally opened up on the real reasons his administration failed to implement the highly anticipated 2014 National Conference recommendations before leaving office.
Jonathan, who spoke during a visit to the family of late Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo, in Lagos on Sunday, revealed that the political climate at the time, coupled with the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made it impossible for his government to act on the confab’s resolutions.
The former president was accompanied by Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, and Bode George, former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South).
Speaking on the matter, Jonathan disclosed that while the recommendations were drafted by highly credible Nigerians without political bias, the timing of their presentation was unfavorable.
“It was not the time we could present such a document,” he said, hinting at the turbulent political atmosphere ahead of the 2015 general elections, which saw him lose to Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan clarified that the National Conference was not influenced by his personal interests but was a product of national leaders seeking progressive reforms.
“Without people like him (Adebanjo) and other leaders, the conference wouldn’t have happened because they initially thought I wanted to manipulate the system,” he said, recalling skepticism from some quarters.
The former president further revealed that some delegates had approached him, asking if there were specific areas he wanted prioritized in the discussions, to which he responded:
“I say look, I can’t even advise you. You are more experienced than me. You are the leaders.”
Despite his administration’s inability to implement the recommendations, Jonathan expressed hope that a future government would revisit the document, emphasizing its ongoing relevance to Nigeria’s development.
“Thank God for everything. We believe that one day, one government will review it and take everything. We believe the outcomes are still very relevant for our society.”
Jonathan also used the occasion to mourn the late Ayo Adebanjo and Edwin Clark, the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), describing their deaths as a major loss to Nigeria.
He hailed Adebanjo’s legacy, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and national progress.
“Our dear leader was not the leader of Afenifere alone. He was a leader of this country,” Jonathan said.
“He was a man with enormous wisdom, courage, and willingness to do the right thing for this country. He believed in truth and justice. No nation can grow when there is no truth and when there is no justice. Those were the things he was known for. We are not surprised that he led the Afenifere credibly well.”
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