By Bonaventure Phillips Melah

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, praised former President Goodluck Jonathan as a guardian of democracy whose legacy extends far beyond his time in office.

Tinubu spoke at the 10th Anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation which took place at Palm Hotel, with the theme- “Legacy of Impact.” He described Jonathan as a profound lesson on life after public service, who preserved Nigeria’s democracy at a moment when it mattered most.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said Jonathan’s decision to establish the foundation demonstrates that “life begins anew when we leave the high offices for which we are elected.

“There can never be enough words to express the depth of our national gratitude to him. Jonathan has remained the same guardian of our collective values since leaving office.”

The President drew a contrast between leaders who use their post-office influence destructively and those who devote themselves to serving humanity.

“Some choose a vehicle that serves only themselves, one that pursues causes capable of harming the very society that once carried them. The other group chooses a nobler path: devoting their life to the service of humanity,” he said.

President Tinubu warned that democracy across West Africa and globally has come under severe threat over the past decade, weakened by “adventurists, by extremists, by actors intoxicated by power, by those who see institutions as inconveniences and elections as formalities.”

He emphasised that Jonathan had demonstrated a crucial principle that nobody’s ambition supersedes the sovereignty of the state.

The President called for national unity and respect for democratic processes, urging Nigerians to accept electoral outcomes regardless of personal preferences.

“No matter whether our preferred candidates win or lose, we must learn to respect the wishes of those who vote differently. Because democracy offers us repeated opportunities to renew our mandates.”

President Tinubu described the foundation as a template for us everyone, noting that service is a continuum and that leaving office is not the end of one’s national duty but the beginning of a new chapter.

He said, “No government can succeed without the cooperation of its people, and no people can advance without a government that listens and leads with clarity. Our democracy stands because of people like former President Goodluck Jonathan. People who believe that the Nigerian state is bigger than any individual.”

While speaking, Dr. Jonathan warned that Nigeria’s democracy is being ‘suffocated’ by reckless political behaviour, cautioning that politics should never be reduced to a playground for unruly conduct.

He argued that leadership must be anchored on responsibility, nation-building and restraint and stressed that sustaining democratic stability requires civility and a genuine sense of accountability from all political actors.

“Politics is not for rascals. It is for people who want to build, not destroy,” Jonathan said, warning that the rising tide of aggressive rhetoric and hostile political behaviour is weakening democratic resilience across the continent.

He reflected on the experience that inspired the creation of his foundation, noting that its work over the past decade has focused on diplomacy, governance reforms, peacebuilding, mediation and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

Jonathan also lamented the recent spate of violent attacks and abductions across the country, urging leaders at every level to take their responsibility to citizens more seriously and ensure the protection of lives while safeguarding the nation’s democratic order.

The National Chairman of main opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, commended Dr. Jonathan for his exemplary leadership attributes and praised the impact of GJF.

Turaki, a former Minister of Special and Inter-Governmental Affairs, described the foundation as one of the continent’s most respected institutions in peacebuilding, mediation, conflict resolution and democratic strengthening.

“We have watched with keen interest the activities of the foundation from its inception to date. And we’ve seen how this foundation has now grown up to be one of the most respected foundations in Africa,” Turaki said.

He commended the foundation’s interventions in peace and security across Africa, its work in promoting democratic institutions, and its contributions to education and development.

Turaki added that the Peoples Democratic Institute has continued to partner with the foundation because of its commitment to deepening democratic culture and stabilising governance in Africa.

“The successes that the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has achieved, not only in the West Africa subregion, but indeed in the whole of Africa, is something that every Nigerian should be proud of,” he said.

In his remarks, the guest speaker, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, underscored the significance of functional democracy in Nigeria, emphasizing that the youths must be at the centre of all interventions.

He said that building a stable future for Africa must be anchored on the functionality of democratic institutions, effective youth empowerment schemes, a free press and an independent judiciary.

Dr Chambas extolled the leadership qualities of President Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as an African leader who believes in the values of true democracy and the sanctity of human lives, noting that the former president has proven his relevance even outside public office.

Goodwill messages were delivered by former president Olusegun Obasanjo who spoke virtually, Ooni of Ife, HRM, Oba Adeyey Enitan Ogunwusi and former senate president Pius Anyim Pius, among others.

Earlier in her address, the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms Ann Iyonu, reflected on the institution’s decade-long journey and her six years of service.

She said- “We gather tonight not only to commemorate our achievements but to also reflect on the resilience, purpose and grace that have shaped our path.”

Attributing the foundation’s progress to divine guidance, she highlighted its work in election mediation, peacebuilding, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting the rule of law and elevating African voices globally.

“Ten years later, we stand proud to say that together we have turned bold ideas into transformative action,” Iyonu noted and reaffirmed the foundation’s dedication to building an Africa where democracy thrives, peace is enduring and leaders put the wellbeing of citizens first.

Among dignitaries at the occasion were former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma; former First Ladies, Dame Patience Jonathan and Hajiya Maryam Abacha; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former governors of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Sokoto, Attahiru Bafarawa; Adamawa, Boni Haruna; Plateau, Chief Jonah Jang, Hajiya Bola Shagaya; former deputy governors; serving and former legislators and former Ministers and captains of Industry.