Jonathan’s decision to stay away from partisan politics has continued to draw attention, and he has now offered a clearer picture of why he chose that path. Speaking in Abuja during the tenth anniversary celebration of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, he explained that his role in the West African Elders Forum places strict limits on political involvement, and he intends to honour those expectations.
Zoyols Blog gathered that the event doubled as a celebration of his sixty eighth birthday, drawing together associates, friends, and partners who have followed the Foundation’s work over the years. While addressing guests, Jonathan noted that the forum operates as a preventive diplomacy body made up of former leaders who step into countries across the sub region during elections to ease tensions and resolve issues before they escalate. He stressed that such a role requires complete neutrality, which means he cannot be seen as an active player in politics.
He told his associates that membership in the forum is reserved for former presidents in the region and that neutrality is a non negotiable condition. This, he said, often leaves some of his supporters disappointed because they still expect him to participate directly in politics. For him to do so, he would have to resign from the forum, something he is not prepared to do at the moment.
Turning to the state of the nation, Jonathan spoke openly about the troubling behaviour he sees in politics today. He said public service should be handled with dignity and preparedness, not as a space where untrained individuals take on leadership roles without understanding the weight of the responsibility placed on them. He urged political actors to raise their standards and conduct themselves in a way that inspires trust.
He also expressed deep sorrow over the recent kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi, an incident that reminded him of the painful abduction of the Chibok girls during his administration. He extended condolences to families who lost loved ones, including the vice principal who was killed, and called for prayers for the safe return of the abducted students and an end to such heartbreaking events.
Reflecting on the journey of his foundation, Jonathan revealed that the idea was first suggested by Tony Elumelu after the 2015 election. While he initially considered broad focus areas such as poverty reduction and education, advisers encouraged him to channel his efforts toward democracy and governance, fields where he had already earned international respect. He explained that although his professional background lies in environmental matters and the Niger Delta, he decided to allow others to take the lead in that sector while he concentrated on promoting democratic values.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Ann Iyonu, described the anniversary as a moment to look back on years spent strengthening democratic principles, promoting peace, and supporting development across Africa. She said the Foundation has consistently pushed for equity and progress through advocacy and strategic partnerships, and she noted that their annual Democracy Dialogue has become a vital meeting point for conversations on safeguarding democracy.
Iyonu highlighted the Foundation’s work in election mediation, policy dialogues, and peace building missions, noting that these efforts have helped support peaceful political transitions, protect citizens’ rights, and confront issues such as violent extremism both online and offline. She added that the Foundation continues to build trust between African governments and their people while expanding the continent’s voice on the global stage.
