Favouritism Responsible For Nigeria’s Backwardness, Says Jonathan

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said that the preference for the tradition of leadership positions among family, friends and acquaintances rather than the ability to perform is the reason why Nigeria is behind.

Jonathan said during a one-day working visit to Bauchi’s Palace on Tuesday.

He said that Nigeria’s tradition is that before appointing a person to a position or assuming responsibility, he must know the top people in the country, and he regrets that this development has set the country back.

The former president responded to the introductory comments made by Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State. He said: “Yes, I didn’t know him when I met him and appointed him as FCT minister.

“In Nigeria, we have this tradition where some people feel that some ministries are big and juicy and must be given to a special person or that you have to know someone before you give him a responsibility, role or put him somewhere. It is not like that with me, it is not my way of doing things.”

In his earlier comments, Governor Mohammed expressed his delight at the visit of the former president, which he said played an important role in his reputation in Nigeria.

The Emir of Bauchi (Rmirwanu Suleiman Adamu) responded that the former president was a deprived Nigerian who showed patriotism, nationalism and statesmanship during his tenure as the country’s president.

The monarch also awarded Jonathan the traditional title of “Jigon Bauchi”. He said that the National Heritage Committee thanked him for making Bauchi his home and gave to Bala Muhammad ( Bala Mohammed) to serve as FCT Minister.

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