Jonathan seeks forgiveness from Nigerians he may have offended

President Goodluck Jonathan has sought forgiveness from Nigerians who he may have offended while in office.

Speaking during a farewell service organised for the outgoing first family on Sunday at the Aso Villa Chapel, the president said no one is perfect and there is no way he would not have stepped on toes. He added that this would not have been deliberate.

He noted that there are times when one would take a decision in the best interest of all but even friends would misunderstand the situation.

“So for the eight (years) that one has been there, definitely one is not perfect. We have certain done things that probably we wouldn’t have done that way, but we didn’t do things deliberately. So for those who we have offended it was not deliberate, it was circumstances of the office. So we also plead that those people should forgive, we think we
have done our best.

“You can do your best and your friends may misunderstand you. Today, we are talking about leaving. It is only God that knows why things go the way they do. Ordinarily May 24 would have been the last service here. But that 24th, we will all go to the National Christian Centre for the inauguration service. So for me and my wife, this is our last day of worship here. The congregation will continue until new government takes over”, he said.

This is the last Sunday the first family will be officially worshipping at the Aso Rock Villa Chapel.

Meanwhile, the vice president-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, was absent at the farewell service which would have seen the president officially handing over the chapel to him.

However, speaking to newsmen after the Sunday service, the Aso Rock chaplain, Obioma Onwuzurumba, said the vice president-elect, had been duly invited but was unfortunately absent. He sent a representative in his stead.