Former President Goodluck Jonathan shared insights on the emotional challenge of losing the 2015 presidential election, which he described as one of the toughest moments in his political career. Reflecting on the experience at the first Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja, Jonathan highlighted the pivotal support he received from the late Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Communications, before formally handing over to then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party, lost to Buhari of the All Progressives Congress. Recalling Dokpesi’s comforting words, Jonathan said, “It is not easy to lose an election as a president. You feel as if the whole world is against you. But Dokpesi’s advice encouraged me to look beyond the election, helping me both for the transition and in my journey as a private citizen.”
In his book, My Transition Hours, Jonathan further elaborates on how this conversation helped him find peace amid his political setback.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Information Idris Mohammed stressed the importance of responsible speech. “While we uphold freedom of speech, we encourage Nigerians to exercise this freedom with responsibility, ensuring it doesn’t spiral into destructive negativity,” he noted.
