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By Myke Agunwa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday described his political rise as a “miracle,” reflecting on his journey from a state deputy governor to Nigeria’s president within four years.
Jonathan spoke 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.
“My political journey looked like a political miracle. From deputy governor to becoming president of this country within four years — it was a miracle. It’s only God that made it possible,” Jonathan said.
He praised Abati for his intellectual depth and for documenting his experience in public service, noting that the books would serve as valuable historical resources.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, commended Abati’s evolution from journalist and commentator to political aide, politician, and now author. He said Abati had come to embody truth as an essential attribute for success and national development.
“The truth that I stood for at that time, you have now come to stand for,” Obasanjo said. “You’ve made progress; now you have to make success, and may God continue to help you to make success.”
Book reviewer Louis Odion described the works as reflections of Nigeria’s best and worst moments, highlighting their portrayal of the nation’s resilience and potential for unity and progress.
The books reviewed were Portraits: People, Politics and Society (642 pages), How Goodluck Jonathan Became President (285 pages), and A Love Letter and Other Stories (402 pages).
In his remarks, Abati expressed gratitude to those who inspired his writing and disclosed that more revealing works on the Jonathan presidency would be published in due course.
The event featured a keynote address by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, and was attended by several dignitaries, including former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba; Abia State Governor Alex Otti; Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; and the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir.
Also in attendance were former governors Gbenga Daniel and Adams Oshiomhole; Ambassador Godknows Igali; Access Holdings Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; PUNCH Newspapers’ Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Joseph Adeyeye; publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; advertising executive Biodun Shobanjo; and ThisDay publisher, Prince Nduka Obaigbena.
Abati’s wife, Mrs. Kikelomo Abati, led other family members to the event.