Jonathan dedicates international award to Nigerians

Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan is The African Sun Times’ International Person of the Year 2015.

A statement by the news medium explains why it accorded Jonathan the highest award:

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who shocked the whole world by swiftly calling current Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and conceding his defeat in the March 29 Nigerian presidential election, thereby stopping the predictions of violent bloodshed in Nigeria, and keeping his words that he would not allow the blood of a Nigerian to be shed to further his political ambitions.  President Jonathan must be applauded for creating a solid foundation for the growth of democracy in Africa.  The world has started to recognise President Jonathan’s courageous act.

Jonathan, in a statement on Tuesday, dedicated the award to Nigerians.

Here’s the dedication statement he posted on Facebook:

I thank The African Sun Times for naming me as its International Person of the year, 2015. I am indeed humbled by this honour. When I think about it, I understand why this medium may have thought me worthy of such an honour. However, I believe that my people, the Nigerian people, are more deserving of this honour. We, the Nigerian people put to shame naysayers and prophets of doom and in 2015, we held a most transparent, violence free and credible elections that transferred power from one political party to another and from an incumbent to the opposition, without rancour, bitterness or strife. In the process, we proved that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian or any national of any country for that matter. That to me, is a most worthy testimonial of the character of the Nigerian nation and the resilience of our people which is why I dedicate this honour to them. May God continue to bless Nigeria and Nigerians. GEJ.

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