Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has described his political journey as nothing short of miraculous, saying his swift rise from a state deputy governor to the highest office in Nigeria within four years could only have been made possible by divine intervention.
Jonathan made the remarks on Friday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, during the public presentation of three books written by journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati. The event drew a distinguished audience of political leaders, academics, and traditional rulers.
“My political journey looked like a political miracle,” Jonathan said. “From deputy governor to becoming president of this country within four years, it was a miracle. It’s only God that made it possible.”
He commended Abati for his intellectual depth and for documenting his experiences in public service through literature, describing the works as an important contribution to Nigeria’s political history.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, praised Abati for his growth across multiple careers, from journalism to politics and now authorship. He said the author had shown a deep understanding of truth and moral conviction, qualities he described as vital for personal integrity and national development.
“The truth that I stood for at that time, you have now come to stand for,” Obasanjo said. “I am happy that in my lifetime, I can say I have a son in Reuben Abati who has matured, who has understood, who has progressed, and who is now on the path of success.”
Obasanjo advised Abati to go beyond progress and achieve enduring success, praying that God continues to guide his journey.
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The event also featured a keynote address by Bishop Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese, who reflected on the intersection of politics, faith, and public service. Book reviewer Louis Odion described Abati’s works as vivid reflections of Nigeria’s best and most turbulent moments, emphasizing their relevance in understanding the country’s political evolution.
Odion reviewed the three titles- Portraits: People, Politics and Society (642 pages), How Goodluck Jonathan Became President (285 pages), and A Love Letter and Other Stories (402 pages), noting that they blend scholarship, narrative depth, and a sense of national identity.
In his response, Abati hinted that more revealing accounts of the Jonathan presidency would be published in the future, promising to offer deeper insight into his years in government and journalism.
Among the dignitaries at the occasion were former Ogun State governor Chief Segun Osoba, Abia State governor Dr. Alex Otti, Lagos deputy governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede, the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir.
