I ‘ve no regrets losing to Buhari – Jonathan

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North and Emmanuel Elebeke
Despite the painful loss of the Presidential election to his opponent of the All Progressives Congress, President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that he has no regret over his defeat.

President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari

And rather than whine over the historic defeat of an incumbent president, Jonathan has moved on in his strides, describing the sad development as an act of God.
The President, who is handing over the mantle of leadership to Buhari on Friday, spoke at a grand House Reception organised in his honour by the Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, owners of AIT and Raypower.
The elaborate sendforth event, which was held at the Daar Communications Headquarters, Kpaduma Hills, Asokoro was attended by many top Nigerians from all walks of life, including the Vice President, Namadi Sambo,  Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Chairman and publisher of Vanguard, Mr. Sam Amuka.
Jonathan, who was also presented by rare mementos by Dokpesi, said: ‘‘By this time, people are supposed to be running away from someone who has lost an election but I am being celebrated by Daar Communications PLc.
“For me, whatever happened in the election, I have accepted in good faith. Eventhough, some have argued that those I entrusted with my campaign disappointed me, I have no regrets for losing because, in any political processes, there are all kinds of stories and conspiracies.
“We are a very religious society; whether Christians or Muslims or some other religions, I believe it is the will of God that the election went the way it did. I have always maintained that for the ordinary Nigerian, what is important is the style of governance, not who is even the president.
“Anybody can be the President any day. If the country is peaceful and economic activities are going on smoothly; our children are going to school, hospitals are okay and they can eat what they want to eat, then, of course people will be happy.
‘‘I believe the incoming administration will toe that line and Nigerians will begin to see that there is no difference between political parties because even as we see, there is no difference between the PDP and the APC.  If you look at the number of people that moved from PDP to APC, then you will really see that both parties are almost the same.
‘‘What is important to us as Nigerians is what the government is bringing to bear and I have always maintained that politicians must learn to put the people first.  If our aspiration is really for the interest of the people, then you wouldn’t want to hurt these people, you wouldn’t want anybody to be slapped because of your own ambition.
‘‘For me, my ambition is to see what contribution I can make for the ordinary people and that is why their lives are special to me. And I wouldn’t do anything that would create crisis to kill innocent people. ‘‘People should not be surprised for the decision I took in Nigeria. Doing that is diminishing Nigeria. I wouldn’t want to be a party that will diminish this country.
‘‘There is combination of bad and good in my administration just like in any other administration, but what should be uppermost in the mind of the leader is to make sure that the bad is not more than the good. One thing I must always ensure is peace and unity of this country.
‘‘We must have a nation before aspiring to hold any position: without a nation, you can’t be elected to any post. I charge all politicians to consider the people first before self. You can lose today and win tomorrow but anybody that dies in the process can’t be revived again. While looking for political offices, we must conduct ourselves in a way that will not halt the lives of innocent people,” Jonathan said.