Former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has described the former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as an Angel that was defeated at the polls even though he performed creditably well.
According to him, the logic of multi-party democracy is that “even an angel can be defeated. You have set a standard that none of your successors can afford to go below.”
Oshiomhole, who spoke yesterday, August 13 at the one-year memorial lecture in honour of late Captain Hosa Okunbo, in Abuja, confessed that even though the former President left good legacies, he (Oshiomhole) fought him out of office due to their differences in political interests.
“You (Jonathan) left legacies even though I had cause to fight you because it is politics. The legacy you have left, there is no successor who can afford to do less.
“Part of your (Jonathan) legacies was when you launched the almajiri school and your thought was that no Nigerian child should be left on the street and also appropriated special funds.
“These ideas are not new but what we lack is the will to transform it to practice. We never know who are our friends until when we are no more.
“No one is appreciated until he or she leaves office.”
Oshiomhole was also the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Olu of Warri and Ogiame Atuwase III, spoke at the event, condemning the glorification of stomach infrastructure in Nigeria’s political culture, among others.
They described the late Captain Hosa Okunbo as a man with a large heart, the spirit of philanthropy and ardent love for the needy.
According to them, one of his legacies that will continue to endure is that he nurtured and mentored many to become responsible members of the society.
