Former President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that he holds no grudges against anyone for past actions, stressing that forgiveness and reconciliation are vital for Nigeria’s political stability and unity.
Jonathan made the remarks on Wednesday evening in Abuja during a requiem mass held in honour of the late Chief Audu Ogbeh.
He described Ogbeh as a man who valued peace and reconciliation, adding that his character reflected principles he personally believed in.
“Chief Ogbeh was a man who did not seek revenge. He believed the past should be left behind and that we must keep moving forward,” Jonathan said.
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The former President added: “In that sense, he was just like me. If you hurt me today, I will forgive you. I don’t carry grudges against anybody. I believe the past is past, and I move on.”
Jonathan recalled that his friendship with the late politician began during his time as deputy governor, when Ogbeh was the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I didn’t know Chief Ogbeh until I became a deputy governor when he was serving as National Chairman of the PDP. At that time, deputy governors were often seen as spare tyres, but he treated me as a close friend,” Jonathan stated.
He recounted how their cordial relationship blossomed through regular meetings in Abuja, saying, “Whenever I visited Abuja, I would go to see him, and we always had good conversations. He was such a kind and generous person.”
Jonathan noted that even after he became President, the late Ogbeh continued to maintain a cordial and respectful relationship with him.
“Whenever he wanted to see me, he would come, and sometimes, we would spend up to an hour discussing national issues,” Jonathan said.
The former President urged Nigerian politicians to emulate Ogbeh’s values of humility, forgiveness, and the ability to unite people across divides.
He stressed that such virtues remain essential for fostering national cohesion, stability, and development.
