A former President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday reminded Nigerians that elections were over and it was time for the nation to move forward.
Former President Jonathan, who spoke after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, called on political leaders, especially former Presidents, to come together to ensure that citizens do not suffer.
He also asserted that the ability of Nigeria to lead the African continent has become a consensus among African countries.
He said: “We need to bring all our political leaders, including all our former Presidents, together. If top leaders continue fighting, they will not suffer that much, but the downtrodden will suffer, and we want to end that tension so we move forward.
“Elections are over and so we must move forward.”
Jonathan also said that Nigeria has all it takes to lead the black continent despite the current economic challenges facing the nation.
“That is what all Africans are saying. I had a programme on democracy dialogue and Prof Lumumba spoke there. He emphasised the need for Nigeria to take the lead in Africa.
“Yes, we have challenges economically now, but we still have what it takes to lead Africa.
“These are some of the issues I will continue to have conversations with Mr President on, including briefing him on all my foreign programmes.
“They are not personal issues. Traditionally, former Presidents, when they go outside the country for continental or regional programmes and even some international ones, when you come home you brief the President. That is the tradition.
“Most times when you see me here, that is what we come to do, to move Nigeria forward, to move ECOWAS forward and to move the African continent forward,” the former President said.
He added that he seized the opportunity of the visit to update President Tinubu about his regional and continental engagements, and to also congratulate him on his victory at the Supreme Court.
He said: “I have been involved in a number of things in West Africa and Africa. In fact tomorrow, I will be in Kenya and on the 14th of November I will be in Liberia. So I am like a roving Ambassador, seeing how we can bring peace to the sub-region and the continent.
“My visit would have taken place since last week but it couldn’t hold. Today, it has now coincided with the judgment of the Supreme Court of yesterday, so it is an opportunity for me to also congratulate Mr President.
“We talked a lot about the country. You will see more of me because there are certain things we discussed and the country must move forward,” Jonathan added.
Acknowledging the current economic concerns, he added that the country will overcome its financial trials with adequate support for the government.
Source: The Nation Newspaper
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