Contrary to claims by the former
president Olusegun Obasanjo that he did not actually push for a third
term bid, Nigeria’s immediate past president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has
revealed the truth.
Jonathan contradicted Obasanjo’s claim, saying that the
retired general agitated for a third term in office but failed to go
through with it.
According to him, the strong resistance of the National Assembly at the time (between 2006 and 2007), made the bid to fail.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday, November 18 in the United
states, where Jonathan was being hosted at the US National Democratic
Institute (NDI).
Jonathan said: “Of course, I was a governor at that time, but due to strong resistance from the National Assembly, the third term bid failed.”
He stressed that Africa needs strong parliaments to checkmate sit-tight presidents who influence parliaments to consider amendments to the constitution that would extend their stay in office.
“Changing constitutions to eliminate term limits in order to favour incumbents is inconsistent with democratic principles and reduces confidence in democratic institutions,” Jonathan noted.
According to him, repressive actions by some of these leaders sets “a disturbing precedent for the region and continent.”
The former president recently led an international observer delegation of the Commonwealth to the Tanzanian national elections.
Regarding Tanzania elections, he said there was an improvement from previous elections held in the country and revealed that the only weakness is that once the electoral umpire has declared a winner, the loser cannot contest the results in a law court or election petitions tribunal.
Jonathan said he is setting up a Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to address corruption and other related issues. He said the foundation will mediate in the continent.
Meanwhile, today, Friday, November 20 is Jonathan’s 58th birthday.
President Jonathan faulted claims by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo regarding OBJ’s third term agenda.
According to him, the strong resistance of the National Assembly at the time (between 2006 and 2007), made the bid to fail.
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Jonathan said: “Of course, I was a governor at that time, but due to strong resistance from the National Assembly, the third term bid failed.”
He stressed that Africa needs strong parliaments to checkmate sit-tight presidents who influence parliaments to consider amendments to the constitution that would extend their stay in office.
“Changing constitutions to eliminate term limits in order to favour incumbents is inconsistent with democratic principles and reduces confidence in democratic institutions,” Jonathan noted.
According to him, repressive actions by some of these leaders sets “a disturbing precedent for the region and continent.”
The former president recently led an international observer delegation of the Commonwealth to the Tanzanian national elections.
Regarding Tanzania elections, he said there was an improvement from previous elections held in the country and revealed that the only weakness is that once the electoral umpire has declared a winner, the loser cannot contest the results in a law court or election petitions tribunal.
Jonathan said he is setting up a Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to address corruption and other related issues. He said the foundation will mediate in the continent.
Meanwhile, today, Friday, November 20 is Jonathan’s 58th birthday.
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