Outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that since 1999 when he became Deputy Governor of his home state of Bayelsa, he has been in one kind of cage or the other where government took care of all his needs.
The President, who reflected on his 16- year sojourn in politics, told Abuja residents who paid Easter homage to him at the State House on Sunday that he has had enough and would love to go home. President Jonathan also stated that he considered himself the luckiest Nigerian ever. “For me as an individual, this Easter coincides with the time I am leaving but I always say that I am one of the luckiest Nigerians. I am yet to see somebody luckier than me. “From 1999, I was in the hands of government for 16 years. Not just in government as a parliamentarian because if you are a Senator or House of Representatives member, you take care of yourself, you live in your own house. “I was in a cage, being taken care of by the government. From May 29, 1999 to date; 16 good years.
I think it is enough and I am happy, help me to thank God for that. “I will continue to thank Nigerians for giving me that privilege. I became deputy governor because Bayelsans voted for me and my governor then. I became a Vice President because Nigerians voted for Yar’Adua and myself. “I continued in 2011 because Nigerians voted for me and Architect Namadi Sambo. I have to thank all Nigerians. Wherever I will be, I will remain grateful to this great country.
Today is a glorious day for me,” he stated. The President urged Nigerians to be ready to make sacrifices for the survival of the government irrespective of who is the President at a given time. He said even since his days as deputy governor in his home state, he kept telling people that what he needed from them was patriotism and not loyalty. He said nation building depends on sacrifice and patriotism. He recalled the examples of soldiers and policemen who he said were dying daily in their fight against Boko Haram for others to live.
Vice President Namadi Sambo, who led the delegation thanked the President for his efforts, adding that he had become a better person after working with Jonathan for five years. Also Present at the event were Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed; Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Senator representing FCT, Philip Aduda, Deputy Governor of Sokoto, Muktar Shagari among other dignitaries.
