Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed regret for not being able to entirely alleviate the suffering of Nigerians during his time in office. He acknowledged the challenges of the presidency, despite his best efforts and intentions.
Jonathan shared these sentiments at a reception in Abuja on Sunday evening, following his receipt of the Sunhak Peace Prize.
The event, organized by Professor Robert Azibaola and others close to the former president, was a celebration of Jonathan’s legacy as a peacemaker and leader.
During his speech, Jonathan thanked Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon for the esteemed award, which he found to be both humbling and significant. He reflected on his leadership journey and admitted to sometimes feeling emotional about his experiences.
“I always feel sad when I see people suffering. I also went through suffering as a child because of my humble background,” he said.
“If I had the means, I would have made sure no Nigerian suffers. But it’s not that easy. It’s not possible—even for a president.”
He noted that he never initially sought national political positions, preferring to serve in his home state of Bayelsa.
However, he eventually embraced the call to higher office and the responsibilities that came with it.
Despite the challenges, Jonathan reiterated that his commitment to peace and national unity remains unwavering.
