Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has indeed spilled his heart out in his new book, My Transition Hours, in which he laid down events and happenings during his tenure as Nigeria’s President from 2011 – 2015.
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In the book, Goodluck Jonathan revealed how some state governors within his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worked against him as he contested for a second term in Office in 2015.
The former president in the book said he had been confident of victory based on his achievements in office.
“We were confident that victory was ours. We were sure of the states where we would certainly have a clear lead. We knew the states which we had a 50-50 chance and finally the states we would have the required 25 per cent to satisfy the provisions of the law.
Obviously and with the benefit of hindsight, I have come to be aware of the intrigue that played a significant role in costing my party and me the election.
For instance, there were governors elected under the banner of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, who did not wholeheartedly campaign for me and adamantly refused to allow campaign posters with my picture and theirs to be printed and circulated.
In fact, a particular first term governor in the North openly said his ideal scenario was to have him re-elected and my opponent elected President.
This same governor told his aides that I would be removed in a coup. Unfortunately for him, his wishes did not come to pass and he ended up not being elected.” He said in the book.
Goodluck Jonathan also revealed that there was an intense religious pressure on members of his party from the North.
He warned that while religious pressure in politics was not a new thing, it is a growing monster working against democracy in Nigeria.
He said as long as individuals were harassed into picking sides based on religion being used in politics, promoting democracy in Nigeria will be difficult.