JUST IN: Many Should Apologise To Jonathan. “He Was A Man Maligned, Blackmailed, Bullied And Insulted -Shehu

According to Symfoni TV on Thursday, September 10, 2026, public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu called on Nigerians to appreciate former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying history had increasingly vindicated him despite the criticism and hostility he faced while in office.

Shehu made the remarks while assessing governance, political leadership and the management of public resources in Nigeria.

The analyst urged Nigerians to acknowledge Jonathan’s contributions and reconsider some of the criticisms directed at the former president during his administration.

“Before you ask where the money is, we should pay special thanks to President Goodluck Jonathan. We should say thank you to him,” Shehu said.

He also suggested that some Nigerians who previously criticised Jonathan should apologise to the former president, arguing that the perception of his administration had changed with the passage of time.

“Many should apologise to him,” he added.

Shehu described Jonathan as a leader who endured intense criticism during his time in government, saying he was subjected to several forms of political pressure.

“He was a man maligned, blackmailed, bullied and insulted, but for a purpose, so that today he is going to be a reference point as a man, a gentleman, a patient man and a man that posterity will be very, very kind to,” he said.

The public affairs analyst maintained that Jonathan’s reputation would continue to benefit from the passage of time, suggesting that historical assessment could be more favourable to the former president than the judgments made against him while he was in office.

Shehu said the former president had already begun receiving what he described as favourable treatment from posterity.

“Already, posterity is kind to Jonathan,” he stated.

He further expressed confidence that the positive assessment of Jonathan would continue throughout the former president’s lifetime.

“Now, it will continue being kind to Jonathan for the rest of his life,” Shehu added.

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, after previously serving as vice president. His tenure ended after he conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

Jonathan’s 2015 concession has subsequently been cited by various commentators as an important moment in Nigeria’s democratic history. Recent comments by Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah similarly praised Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat, describing it as an act that helped preserve peace in the country.

Shehu’s comments therefore present his assessment of Jonathan’s legacy against the backdrop of Nigeria’s continuing debate over political leadership, governance and accountability.

He maintained that Nigerians should look beyond the controversies that surrounded Jonathan’s administration and consider how history would ultimately judge his leadership and personal conduct.

The analyst’s remarks come as Jonathan’s name continues to feature in political discussions ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Recent reports have linked his name to political activity surrounding the opposition, although the political developments remain contested.