Jonathan explains rational for 2015 famous phone call in new book

In his new book, which is being launched now in Abuja, former president Goodluck Jonathan has explained the rational that made him make the now famous phone call in which he conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari even before the final results of the 2015 elections was announced.

“When I  say  severally  that  ‘my  political  ambition  is  not  worth  the  blood  of  any  Nigerian’,  I  really  meant  it.  This  phrase  instinctively  became  a creed  and my  philosophy  on  power.  It  became  a  principle  embedded  in  my  core  from when  I  became  Governor  of   Bayelsa  State  in  2005  and more  evidently  during my  Bayelsa  gubernatorial  campaign  between  2006  and  2007.  It  has  remained with  me  and  has  been  the  bedrock  of   my political  career  and  the  foundation  of  the  celebrated  ‘phone  call’  to  my  opponent  in  the  2015  general  elections” Jonathan wrote his book.

Jonathan, in his book, also said that the PDP governors who decamped to the PDP ahead of the 2015 elections were driven by ‘blind ambition.’

Ahead of the 2015 elections, Jonathan said that there were governors who were rounding off their second term and were ‘blinded by ambition.’

“Some Governors wanted to be Vice President whilst others strived to be President.  If   I contested, none could realize his ambition.  This muffled implosion would fully manifest in the build up to 2015, with each ship-jumper calculating  how  much  he  or  she  would  take  from  the  PDP  or  the  most opportune moment  to  cause  maximum  damage  and  based  on  that,  plot  their exit.”

“Their  opposition  to  my  re-election  was principally  driven  by  personal  ambition.  They  therefore  played  up  the  issue  of  where  I  come  from  and the  faith  I  profess  to  fuel  their  burning  ambitions.  My performance mattered  quite  little,  if   it  mattered  at  all”  Jonathan wrote in his book, which is expected to create a lot of talking appoints ahead of the 2019 elections.

There was a mild drama when Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress, APC National Chairman arrived Transcorp Hilton, Abuja for the book launch.

The arrival of Oshiomhole in company of former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio elicited mixed feelings among supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who crowded venue of the event as most of them showed excitement with shouts of Oshiomhole! Osho Baba!! while some were visibly amazed with his presence.

Some of them were seen in groups wondering how Oshiomhole will see eyeball to eyeball and sit side by side with his known political enemies particularly Bukola Saraki, Yakubu Dogara, Governor Samuel, Atiku Abubakar whom he has been castigating.

But Oshiomhole was given a warm welcome and exchanged pleasantries with his perceived political enemies at the high table.

Also, the crowd that gathered in front of Congress Hall of Transcorp was thrown into wild jubilation following the arrival of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the book launch.

Obasanjo who arrived two hours into the event was given a rousing welcome with the thunderous shouts of Baba! Baba!, Obj! Obj! while he acknowledged the cheers with hilarious laugh and waving.

Meanwhile, John Mahama, former President of Ghana has hailed Jonathan for his role in fostering unity, peace, progress and strengthening democratic rule in Africa.

Mahama who spoke at the launching of the book: ‘My Transition Hours’ written by Jonathan said,  “Goodluck Jonathan is a good man. When the history of democracy in Africa is written his name will be etched in gold”.