By: Eugene Upah. Total Read Time: 1 minute
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that he does not hold grudges against anyone for past actions, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness in politics for national cohesion and development. Jonathan made the remark on Wednesday evening during a requiem mass held in Abuja for the late Chief Audu Ogbeh, a prominent elder statesman and politician.
In a tribute released through his special adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described Ogbeh as a humble and forgiving leader, whose philosophy of life mirrored his own.
“Chief Ogbeh was a man who did not seek revenge. He believed the past should be left behind and that we must keep moving forward,” Dr. Jonathan said. “In that sense, he was just like me. If you hurt me today, I will forgive you. I don’t carry grudges against people. I believe the past is past—and I move on.”
The former president reflected on his personal relationship with Chief Ogbeh, which began when Jonathan was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and Ogbeh was the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Jonathan recalled how Ogbeh treated him with respect and kindness, fostering a close friendship despite the often-perceived “spare tyre” role of a deputy governor at the time.
“Whenever I visited Abuja, I would go to see him, and we always had good conversations. He was such a kind and generous person,” Jonathan said. He added that their relationship remained cordial even after he became president, with Ogbeh often visiting to discuss national issues.
Dr. Jonathan urged Nigerian politicians to emulate the values Chief Ogbeh stood for, particularly his humility, spirit of forgiveness, and ability to unify people across different segments of society. The former president joined family, friends, and associates in paying his final respects to the late politician and farmer.
