Halima Waziri has issued a public apology to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, GCON, expressing regret for her criticisms of his administration in 2015. In a statement released today, Waziri lauded Jonathan’s leadership, particularly in light of current democratic challenges in Nigeria.
Waziri’s apology, addressed directly to the former president, read:
“My name is Halima Waziri. I would like to use this medium to officially apologize to you for criticizing and condemning your administration in the year 2015. It wasn’t until after you left office that I realized the kind of person you truly are. You are indeed a man of integrity, not of acclaimed integrity; you are a real democrat, not a dictator.”
She further reflected on the current state of Nigeria’s democracy, drawing a parallel to a Facebook post made by Jonathan on January 8, 2015. In that post, the former president wrote:
“My dear Facebook friends, I have said it before and I will continue to say and live by the fact that my ambition, and indeed the ambition of anybody, is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Therefore, I urge all Nigerians to look forward in hope as we fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers to ‘build a nation where peace and Justice reign.’ In that regard, we must make the election of February 14th, 2015, a contest amongst brothers rather than a struggle between foes.”
Waziri’s apology highlights a growing sentiment among some Nigerians who have re-evaluated Jonathan’s presidency in the years since he left office.
Halima Waziri Apologizes to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan: “You are Indeed a Man of Integrity”
