Deborah Akinyosoye
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has revealed that the report of the 2014 National Conference was not implemented due to the betrayal he suffered from some individuals, who were bent on bringing hisFormer President, Goodluck Jonathan, has revealed that the report of the 2014 National Conference was not implemented due to the betrayal he suffered from some individuals, who were bent on bringing his government down.
Jonathan spoke during a condolence visit to the residence of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in the company of former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma; former deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe and Chief Executive Officer of Badagry Port Development Limited, Didi Ndiomu, among others.
Jonathan explained that some people, including the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, mobilised against him and worked tirelessly to destabilise his administration, making it impossible to implement the report government down.
Jonathan spoke during a condolence visit to the residence of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in the company of former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma; former deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe and Chief Executive Officer of Badagry Port Development Limited, Didi Ndiomu, among others.
Jonathan explained that some people, including the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, mobilised against him and worked tirelessly to destabilise his administration, making it impossible to implement the report.
“Some people were determined to bring my government down, and that was why the report of the 2014 National Conference was not implemented,” Jonathan said. “The political environment was turbulent, and it was not conducive for the implementation of the report.”
The former President noted that despite the challenges he faced, he remains proud of the conference, which brought together over 500 Nigerians from various sectors to discuss and find lasting solutions to the country’s challenges.
He emphasised that the report contained valuable recommendations that could have transformed the country, but were not implemented due to the prevailing political circumstances.
Jonathan expressed optimism that the report, which was formulated without any political influence, would one day be implemented, bringing about the desired positive change in the country.
In his condolence message, Jonathan described Pa Adebanjo as a revered leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, and a national hero who dedicated his life to the service of our nation.
Also, Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the deceased as a man with democratic values, who was resolute in his beliefs.
Atiku came in the company of the Director of Strategic Communications for the 2023 Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dele Momodu, and Lagos PDP governorship candidate in 2023, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, a.k.a. Jandor, among others.