Jonathan Warns Nigeria’s Politics Is Slipping Into Rascality

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised concerns over what he described as the growing “rascality” in Nigeria’s political space, urging leaders to restore discipline, responsibility, and national interest to public service.

Speaking on Thursday at the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and a gala dinner held to mark his 68th birthday, Jonathan lamented that politics has become the only profession in the country where people attain leadership positions without any form of training or preparation.

He stressed that politics should not be a haven for unprepared individuals lacking discipline or a sense of duty.

“For those of us still in active politics, I pray we understand that our actions affect everyone,” he said. “We must play politics with decorum and responsibility, not with rascality. Politics is not the business of rascals.

“Even to teach in primary school, you must undergo training and earn certification. But in politics, someone just wakes up, declares themselves a politician, and the next day becomes a governor, with no basic training. This is a problem we must fix.”

Jonathan warned that Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress if leadership continues to be treated as an all-comers affair. He said the nation needs leaders who understand governance, respect institutions, and prioritise citizens’ welfare.

The former president also reflected on the work of his foundation. He explained that although the organisation originally set out to tackle diverse issues, its current engagements demand neutrality—requiring him to remain outside partisan politics for now.
“Before I return to active politics, I must first resign from the West African Elders Forum,” he noted.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Jonathan for his historic concession in the 2015 presidential election, describing it as the pinnacle of his presidency and a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy.

“Our democracy stands today because of people like Jonathan,” Shettima said. “People who understand that the Nigerian state is bigger than any individual.”

He described Jonathan as a statesman who has continued to advance peace and democratic governance across Africa.

Delivering the keynote address, former ECOWAS President and former UN envoy, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, praised the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation for its decade-long efforts in promoting stability, dialogue and democratic resilience.

He highlighted the West Africa Elders Forum as a key achievement of the Foundation, noting its role in supporting peaceful elections in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and other countries between 2021 and 2025.

Former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, also commended the Foundation for evolving into one of Africa’s most respected institutions promoting peace, security, and democratic development.

In her remarks, Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of the Foundation, described the 10-year milestone as a celebration of resilience, purpose, and divine grace, noting that the organisation has strengthened democratic institutions through election observation, peace missions, policy dialogues, and advocacy.