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Jonathan Says No Nigerian Leader Can Be Compared To Nelson Mandela

Published

10 years ago

2013/12/08

Credit: Nytimes

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said no Nigerian leader can be compared to the late former South African leader, Nelson Mandela.

Jonathan made this call at a Memorial Service in Honour of Mandela, former President of South Africa, held at the Aso Rock Chapel, Abuja, where he said it was on record that Nigeria leaders ruled repressively during their regimes.

The President also described Nigerian politicians who threaten, boast and play little gods by virtue of their position as tiny men, a character trait he said is contrary to the exemplary leadership Mr. Mandela exhibited and lived for.

Jonathan said contrary to Mr. Mandela who was filled with humility, forgiving spirit and the ability to unite and reunite people, past Nigerian rulers played repressive roles during their reigns.

“This is in contrast with the utterances of Nigerian politicians who speak as if Nigeria is their bedroom from where they make unguarded utterances and intimidate others’’

According to him “great names as we hear today in Nigeria are not enough” as the same names played repressive roles and ruled repressively during their days as rulers in this country”.

He noted that even when he listens to some “politicians older than me, I come to the conclusion that it is truly difficult for a carmel to pass through the eyes of a needle than for a politician to achieve greatness”.

He eulogised the late Mr. Mandela’s selfless virtues adding that today all those who fought him and called him terrorists were now singing his praises.

“For anybody that will make changes, don’t expect praises, they will call you names but the end matters much,” he said.