Goodluck Jonathan

**Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan** (born 20 November 1957) be a Nigerian politician who serve as de president of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. He lose de 2015 presidential election to former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, wey na he be de first sitting president for Nigerian history wey gree say he lose election, wey make peaceful handover of power fit happen. 

For 2015, Goodluck Jonathan become de first Nigerian president wey gree say he lose election. Dis action make power fit shift go opposition party for Africa ein biggest democracy — one country wey before dat time dey always experience vote-rigging plus violence. 

## Early life den education
Dem born Goodluck Jonathan on 20 November 1957 for Ogbia, to one Christian Ijaw family of canoe makers, for Otuoke, Bayelsa State. Ein poppie, Lawrence Ebele Jonathan, na canoe maker, plus ein mommie, Eunice Ayi Ebele Jonathan, be retired farmer. He go Christian primary plus secondary school.

Jonathan get bachelor’s degree for zoology (second-class honours), master’s degree for hydrobiology plus fisheries biology, plus doctorate for zoology — all from University of Port Harcourt. As he dey for university, he sanso teach for Rivers State College of Education from 1983 to 1993.

## Pre-presidency (1998–2010)
Before he enter politics for 1998, Jonathan work as education inspector, lecturer, plus environmental-protection officer. Ein political journey start when he join de new People ein Democratic Party (PDP) for late 1990s. Jonathan enter politics after General Sani Abacha, wey rule Nigeria as military head of state from 1993 to 1998, die for office.

For de 1999 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha run for governor under PDP den choose Jonathan as ein running mate. Alamieyeseigha win de election come become de first civilian governor of Bayelsa State for May 1999. Dem win reelection again for 2003, den Jonathan ein diligence plus loyalty earn am reputation as Nigeria ein most hardworking deputy governor.

#### Governorship
On 29 May 1999, Jonathan swear-in as deputy governor of Bayelsa alongside Diepreye Alamieyeseigha wey come insyd as de governor of de state on de platform of PDP. Jonathan serve as Deputy Governor until December 2005. On 9 December 2005, Jonathan, wey be de deputy governor at dat time, swear-in as de governor of Bayelsa State after dem remove governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha by de Bayelsa State House of Assembly after dem charge am plus money laundering insyd de United Kingdom.

## Vice-presidency (2007–2010)
As Vice President, Jonathan keep ein profile low. Even though he sabi say de Vice President ein office get constitutional limits, he still join cabinet meetings den, by law, he be member of de National Security Council, de National Defence Council, de Federal Executive Council, plus chairman of de National Economic Council.

#### Order of succession
Jonathan become Acting President of Nigeria on 9 February 2010, after de Senate of Nigeria use controversial doctrine of necessity because President Yar'Adua travel go Saudi Arabia for November 2009 for medical treatment. On 10 February 2010, wey be ein first day as acting president, Jonathan announce small cabinet reshuffle.

Based on de Nigerian constitution ein order of succession, after President Yar'Adua die on 5 May 2010, Jonathan, wey already be Acting President, swear-in as de real president of de Federal Republic of Nigeria on 6 May 2010. On 18 May 2010, National Assembly approve Jonathan ein nomination of Kaduna State Governor Namadi Sambo to replace am as vice president. For de 2011 general election, Jonathan plus Vice President Sambo attend political events den travel round de country campaign for de nation ein top office.

One year later, on 29 May 2011, he swear-in as President of Nigeria plus Commander-in-Chief of de Armed Forces of Nigeria, wey make am Nigeria ein 14th Head of State. For ein inauguration speech, he talk say ein government go focus on Transformation Agenda den promise to continue de seven-point agenda policy framework of President Yar'Adua. He mention say anti-corruption, power, plus electoral reforms go be key focus for ein administration. He talk say he enter office under "very sad den unusual circumstances".

## Presidency (2010–2015)
#### Economics
Under Jonathan ein administration, Nigeria rebase ein gross domestic product for de first time insyd over one decade, wey make am pass South Africa den Egypt to become de biggest economy for Africa.

Jonathan ein government gather over US$454 billion from oil revenue during ein time for office. Before dis, Jonathan serve as assistant director for Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission from 1993 go reach 1998.

Jonathan ein administration supervise de construction of new railway lines across de country, including de Abuja-Kaduna railway, plus e plan high-speed rail projects. Dem sana manage construction den beautification of plenty federal roads like Lagos-Benin Expressway, Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, Enugu-Abakiliki Expressway, Onitsha-Owerri Highway, plus most parts of de Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. Dem sana oversee de construction of de second Niger Bridge between Onitsha den Asaba, wey help reduce pressure for de old 1965 Niger Bridge. Airports across de country too dey constructed, plus dem upgrade Akanu Ibiam Airport for Enugu to international standard, wey connect de South-East region to de outside world directly for de first time since independence.

On 2 August 2010, Jonathan launch ein 'Roadmap for Power Sector Reform'. De main aim na to make electricity stable for Nigeria. De Power Holding Company of Nigeria wey dey supply electricity before, dem divide am into 15 different companies, plus Nigeria hand over control of state electricity assets to 15 private bidding companies. Nigerian government contract CPCS Transcom Limited, one Canadian consulting firm wey specialise for transport den energy infrastructure projects, make dem act as transaction adviser for de transfer of de state electricity assets.

Historically, de Nigerian power sector don suffer plenty blackouts, mainly because of poor maintenance, stealing, plus lack of government oversight wey dey rooted insyd corruption. Economists estimate say power outages don cost Nigeria — wey be Africa ein biggest economy — billions of dollars through imported diesel for generators plus lost productivity. One World Bank study talk say lack of access to money plus electricity na Nigeria ein main wahala for development, even pass corruption.

#### Finances
Jonathan suspend Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as de governor of de Central Bank of Nigeria after public investigations begin plus after Sanusi raise alarm about de US$20 billion NNPC scandal through one leaked letter wey show say Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation no account for US$48.9 billion of government oil revenue to de central bank. NNPC get long history of financial wahala plus dem dey control de corrupt petroleum industry for Nigeria. Sanusi later reveal say under Jonathan ein government, Nigeria dey lose about one billion dollars every month through diversion of public funds, wey include oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke wey divert $6 billion (₦1.2 trillion) from de Nigerian treasury.

Sana, dem allege say Jonathan personally order over ₦3 trillion ($15 billion) from de Central Bank of Nigeria to support ein election den other personal projects wey dem claim say na "intervention fund for national security". Charles Soludo, one economics professor wey be former governor of de Central Bank of Nigeria, compare Jonathan ein financial recklessness to wetin former Ugandan president Idi Amin do. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, one economist wey be former Finance Minister of Nigeria, talk say Jonathan ein administration na de main cause of Nigeria ein economic problems for one lecture she give for George Washington University, even though later she deny say she talk so.

#### Corruption
Jonathan ein government dey mostly described as corrupt. According to *The Economist*, corruption flourish under Jonathan ein administration, "wey allow politicians plus demma padi dem to chop money freely without fear." Plenty big money take wrong turn many times — dem allege say ₦3.98 trillion (US$20 billion) go miss, plus another ₦398 billion ($2 billion) wey dem suppose use for military funds, end up for de pockets of top officials.

For 2006, reports wey Wikileaks release talk say Jonathan ein wife, Patience Jonathan, get money-laundering case from Nigeria ein anti-crime agency, de Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

#### Foreign affairs
During Jonathan ein administration, Nigeria revise ein foreign policy make e reflect one "citizen-focused" approach, wey dem design to "put dis idea of defending human dignity as top priority" den link foreign policy to domestic matters, while dem put more focus on economic diplomacy.

### National issues

#### 2010 Nigerian lead poisoning incident
For January 2013, Jonathan reportedly promise $4 million make dem use clean villages wey lead poisoning don affect. Over 400 children die for de incident, den Human Rights Watch talk say if dem release de money, e fit save plenty children life.

#### 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests
On 1 January 2012, Jonathan ein government announce one controversial plan to stop fuel subsidies. After Nigeria Labour Congress warn say di country fit face strikes, unions really strike plus civil protests follow from 9–13 January 2012. Protesters den some groups begin call make Jonathan resign because dem no like say dem remove fuel subsidies. After five days of protests den strikes, on 16 January, Jonathan talk say de new pump price for petrol go be 97 naira per litre instead of 147 naira wey e be after subsidy removal.

For 2012, after dem partially remove petrol subsidy, Jonathan ein government bring one program wey dem call Subsidy Reinvestment plus Empowerment Program (SURE-P). Dem design am make e use de money wey dem save from de subsidy to build physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, etc. across de country. SURE-P sana target to improve maternal health den reduce maternal mortality.

De government follow advice from international experts wey talk say de fuel subsidy (wey dey cost $8 billion every year, about 25% of government budget) no go fit continue. De Brookings Institution, one think tank, praise de government, say de subsidy dey stop development spending like education, plus e dey discourage investment for de oil sector wey be de main source of Nigeria ein economy. For ein book *My Transition Hours*, Goodluck Jonathan write say de subsidy dey chop too much of de country ein money, plus say people believe say de sector too corrupt. He talk say Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, brief am about corrupt practices wey one technical committee she set up uncover. Jonathan shock say billions of naira dey lost because of de subsidy system.

Plenty big men for Nigeria speak against de removal of fuel subsidy. Former Petroleum Minister, Professor Tam David-West, talk say de removal go press de economy, make inflation rise, den e go affect both business people plus ordinary people. General Muhammadu Buhari, wey be former military Head of State den Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, beg Jonathan make e no remove de subsidy, but rather make e face corruption. Yakubu Gowon, another former military Head of State, warn government say dem suppose first fix de country ein infrastructure before dem think of removing subsidy. Even former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, join millions of Nigerians wey protest against Jonathan ein decision to remove de subsidy, say de action no come at de right time.

#### 2014 National Conference
For March 2014, President Jonathan open de 2014 National Conference. Dis conference na de first one since de 2005 political reform conference. E gather 492 delegates wey reason key socio-political issues wey dey block national development.

#### 2014 Ebola outbreak
On 20 July 2014, one Liberian-American man, Patrick Sawyer, fly from Monrovia come Murtala Muhammed International Airport for Lagos, plus one stopover for Lomé, Togo. Dem talk say e look "terribly ill" before e comot Monrovia. As e reach Lagos, e fall seriously sick plus e die five days later. Because of dis, Nigerian government begin watch everybody wey get contact plus am, den dem increase surveillance for all de entry points wey dey enter de country.

By 6 August 2014, Nigeria Health Minister tell reporters say: "Yesterday, de first known Nigerian wey die of Ebola don happen. Na one of de nurses wey attend to de Liberian. De other five new confirmed cases dey for isolation ward." Di doctor wey treat Sawyer, Ameyo Adadevoh, later die of Ebola too. On 22 September 2014, Nigeria Ministry of Health announce say: "As of today, no Ebola case dey Nigeria. All de contacts wey dem list don complete dia 21 days surveillance." According to WHO, na 20 cases den 8 deaths dem confirm, plus de imported case wey die. Four of de people wey die na health care workers wey take care of Sawyer. In total, dem follow 529 contacts, den all of dem complete de 21-day watch.

##### 2014 Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act
For January 2014, Jonathan sign de Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act into law after Senate plus House of Representatives pass am. Dis law no dey allow gay relationship, membership or any form of involvement insyd gay societies plus organisations, or same-sex marriage. Dem bring dis bill come after international poll show say 98% of Nigerians no believe say homosexuality suppose dey accepted by society — na de highest percentage for any country wey dem survey.

De law carry penalties reach 14 years for anybody wey enter gay marriage, plus up to 10 years for other violations under de law. Just shortly after, federal police compile list of 168 gay people wey dem later jail. Within few days, dem don jail 38 lesbian den gay people, as arrests start during Christmas. De anti-LGBT law still talk say anybody wey hide or no gree provide info about LGBT individuals fit go prison for up to five years. Even though dis decision den de law cause plenti controversy, one poll show say 92% of Nigerians support de ban.

#### Security issues
Jonathan en administration chop heavy criticism sake of dem failure to handle insecurity well. De first big gbege be de October 2010 Independence Day bombing. One man wey dem call Okah tell de court say na President Jonathan plus en people organise de bomb attack for Abuja as part of one desperate political plan wey go make dem paint political opponents like former military head of state General Ibrahim Babangida bad, so dem go win public sympathy before election go come.

#### 2011
On 29 May 2011, just few hours after Goodluck Jonathan don swear in as president, Boko Haram drop bomb wey kill 15 people plus injure 55. On 16 June 2011, Boko Haram claim say na dem do de Abuja police headquarters bombing — na de first suicide attack wey Nigeria ever see. Two months later, dem bomb de United Nations building for Abuja, wey show say dem fit now target international organisation too. For December 2011, dem carry out attack for Damaturu wey kill over hundred people, den clash with security forces later dat same month, wey lead to at least 68 deaths. Two days later, on Christmas Day, Boko Haram attack plenti Christian churches with bomb plus gunshots.

#### 2012
After de January 2012 Northern Nigeria attacks wey kill hundreds of people, Abubakar Shekau, wey be former deputy to Mohammed Yusuf, show face for one video wey dem post for YouTube. Reuters talk say na Shekau take over de group after Yusuf die for 2009. Authorities bin first believe say Shekau don die during de 2009 violence. By early 2012, Boko Haram don already cause over 900 deaths. On 8 March 2012, one small Special Boat Service team plus Nigerian Army try rescue two hostages, Chris McManus plus Franco Lamolinara, wey Boko Haram terrorists loyal to al-Qaeda dey hold for Nigeria. De two hostages die before or during de rescue operation, plus reports talk say all de kidnappers die too.

**2013**

On 18 March, dem bomb one bus station for Kano wey cause several casualties. For May 2013, Nigerian government forces launch offensive for Borno region to chase out Boko Haram fighters after dem declare state of emergency on 14 May 2013. Dis state of emergency cover Borno, Yobe plus Adamawa states for northeastern Nigeria. De offensive first work small, but Boko Haram rebels later regain strength. Even though dem first offer amnesty, by June 2013, he order say anybody wey support Boko Haram go get 20-year jail term. For July 2013, Boko Haram massacre 42 students for Yobe, wey make dem end de school year early for de state. Then on 5 August 2013, Boko Haram launch two attacks for Bama plus Malam Fatori, wey kill 35 people.

#### 2014
On 16 January 2014, dem report say Jonathan sack im military high command because dem no fit end de Islamist-led insurgency wey dey happen for Northern Nigeria. On 14 April, over 200 schoolgirls for Chibok get kidnapped. Few weeks later for May, terrorists attack military for Chibok. Plenty demonstrations happen wey dey ask government make dem act better; but Jonathan talk say make people focus blame on Boko Haram for de kidnapping. At first, Jonathan deny say any abduction happen, but later e show say im government dey ready to release prisoners to collect back de kidnapped girls. Talks come happen for Paris with foreign ministers from France, Britain, de United States plus Israel, where dem all agree say dem no suppose do any deal with terrorists. But on 24 May 2014, Jonathan cancel de exchange at de last minute. Dis action vex Boko Haram leaders well well.

For May 2014, two bombs blast for Jos wey kill at least 118 people plus injure over 56 others. During de June 2014 Northern Nigeria attacks, dem bomb one plaza for de capital city plus attack hundreds of villagers for Kaduna for two days straight. For November, Boko Haram bomb Kano try assassinate de Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. From late 2014, Boko Haram militants begin attack many towns for northern Nigeria plus capture dem. Dis make Nigerian government launch offensive den, plus help from Chad, Niger plus Cameroon, dem recover plenty areas wey Boko Haram bin take over before. For late 2014, Boko Haram seize Bama according to people wey dey live for de town. For December 2014, report talk say people wey too old to run from Gwoza Local Government Area dey gathered carry go two schools wey de militants come open fire on dem. Over 50 elderly people for Bama die. One gory video come show how de insurgents shoot more than hundred civilians for one school dormitory for Bama.

#### 2015
Between 3 and 7 January 2015, Boko Haram attacked the town of Baga and killed up to 2,000 people, perhaps the largest massacre by Boko Haram. On 10 January 2015, a bomb attack took place at the Monday Market in Maiduguri, killing 19 people. The city is considered to be at the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency. In the early hours of 25 January 2015, Boko Haram launched a major assault on the city. On 26 January 2015 CNN reported that the attack on Maiduguri by "hundreds of gunmen" had been repelled, but the nearby town of Monguno was captured by Boko Haram. The Nigerian Army claimed to have successfully repelled another attack on Maiduguri on 31 January 2015. Starting in late January 2015, a coalition of military forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger began a counter-insurgency campaign against Boko Haram. On 4 February 2015, de Chad Army killed over 200 Boko Haram militants. Soon afterwards, Boko Haram launched an attack on the Cameroonian town of Fotokol, killing 81 civilians, 13 Chadian soldiers and 6 Cameroonian soldiers.

On 17 February 2015, Nigerian military take back Monguno through coordinated air den ground attack. Then on 7 March 2015, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau pledge allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq den de Levant (ISIL) through one audio message wey dem post for ISIL demma Twitter. Nigerian army spokesperson Sami Usman Kukasheka talk say de pledge show say Shekau dey weak, compare am to "drowning man". Dis same day, five suicide bomb attacks kill 54 people plus wound 143. On 12 March 2015, ISIL spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani release one audiotape wey welcome de allegiance den talk say e be expansion of demma caliphate reach West Africa. After Boko Haram pledge loyalty to ISIL, dem rename de group "West Africa Province" (Islamic State West Africa Province – ISWAP), plus Shekau come be de first *vali* (governor). ISIL start to support Boko Haram, but dem sana begin interfere for dem internal matters. For instance, ISIL central leadership try reduce de way Boko Haram dey brutal towards civilians den internal critics, because Shekau ein ideology be “too extreme even for de Islamic State”.

On 24 March 2015, residents of Damasak, Nigeria talk say Boko Haram carry more than 400 women plus children from de town as dem dey run from coalition forces. On 27 March 2015, Nigerian army capture Gwoza, wey dem believe say be Boko Haram headquarters. For election day, 28 March 2015, Boko Haram extremists kill 41 people, including one legislator, to scare people make dem no vote. During March 2015 counter-insurgency operations, Niger Army soldiers dey active against Boko Haram. For dat same March, Boko Haram lose control of Northern Nigerian towns like Bama den Gwoza to Nigerian Army. Authorities talk say dem don take back 11 out of 14 districts wey Boko Haram bin control. By April 2016, Nigerian military overrun four Boko Haram camps wey dey Sambisa Forest, wey lead to de rescue of almost 300 females. Boko Haram forces retreat go Mandara Mountains wey dey along Cameroon–Nigeria border. On 16 March 2015, Nigerian army talk say dem don recapture Bama. Then on 27 March 2015, just one day before de presidential election, Nigerian Army announce say dem don take back Gwoza from Boko Haram.

By April 2015, Nigerian military don report say dem don take back most of de areas wey Boko Haram control before for Northeastern Nigeria, except for Sambisa Forest. Then for May 2015, Nigerian military announce say dem don free about 700 women from Boko Haram camps wey dey insyd Sambisa Forest.

#### 2015 election
Jonathan believe say dem dey overhype APC popularity. He make dis clear for one 2015 interview with *The Cable*, Nigeria Independent Online Newspaper—just two days before de general election. Jonathan talk say, "I no believe say Nigerians go make de mistake to vote Buhari. Gen. Buhari, with due respect, no be de correct option for Nigeria at dis time. Na gamble wey no worth am. I fit no be perfect as nobody be perfect. But I believe say come Saturday, majority of Nigerian voters go choose me as de best candidate to carry de nation go forward."

On 31 March 2015, Jonathan concede de election give challenger Muhammadu Buhari, wey dem swear in to replace am on 29 May 2015. Jonathan talk for one statement wey he release dat same day say, "Nobody ambition worth de blood of any Nigerian."

## Post-presidency (2015–present)
Since he comot for office, Jonathan still dey defend him administration. For 2019, dem appoint am as honorary special advisor to de Bayelsa Education Trust Fund board. For June 2019, dem name Goodluck Jonathan as chairperson of de newly launched International Summit Council for Peace. Then for July 2020, ECOWAS appoint am as special envoy to lead mediation talks during de 2020 Malian protests.

#### 2023 election
Dem talk say Jonathan bin get interest to contest for de 2023 Nigerian presidential election under All Progressives Congress (APC). One political group wey people no sabi na dem even go pick APC primary nomination form for am.

But nothing later come out from de matter, as Jonathan no show up for screening for APC Secretariat. For de APC primary wey happen on 8 June 2022, na former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, wey win, as e beat de then-vice president Prof. Yemi Osinbajo plus plenty other aspirants.

#### 2023 Zimbabwean general election
For 2023, dem appoint Goodluck Jonathan as head of delegation for African Union (AU) plus COMESA for de Zimbabwe general election. On Friday, 25 August 2023, he do press briefing wey e give Zimbabwe electoral authority poor marks. Wetin he talk match well-well with wetin SADC plus SEAM talk earlier for dat same briefing.

## Personal life

#### Image
Jonathan is known for sporting his trademark fedora that is commonly worn by inhabitants of the Niger Delta.

### Family
Jonathan den ein wife, Patience Jonathan, get two kiddies.

### Wealth
Insyd 2007, Jonathan declare ein assets worth a total of ₦295,304,420 (then equivalent to US$8,569,662).

## Honours
### National honours
*Nigeria:
** Grand Commander of de Order of the Federal Republic **(GCFR)**
** Grand Commander of de Order of the Niger **(GCON)**

### Foreign honours
*Namibia:
** First Class of de Order of the Welwitschia (22 March 2014)

### Oda honours
*Insyd 2013, na dem award Jonathan de chieftaincy title of de **Se lolia I** of Wakirike Bese. Na ein wifey, Patience Jonathan, sanso receive a title of ein own during de same ceremony.

## References


## Read further

* Ayoade, John A., and Adeoye A. Akinsanya, eds. *Nigeria's Critical Election, 2011* (Lexington Books; 2012)

## External links

* Official website
* Goodluck4President
* Goodluck Jonathan