Gov Bala Will Make A Good President – Jonathan

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Nigeria’s former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has described Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed as “a man with patience, humility, fortitude and a good listener” that can lead Nigeria to greater heights of glory.

The former President, who appreciated the governor for staying on with him even after office, said Nigeria would be better having “an empathetic, committed and passionate leader” as Bala at the helm of affairs.

Speaking on Thursday night when Governor Bala visited his Abuja residence, Dr Jonathan said, as one of his hardworking Ministers, “if Bala is given a chance to run the affairs of the Africa’s most populous state”, things would certainly be better for the citizens.

He said given his wealth of experience and tremendous achievements as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and now a governor, the Bauchi state Chief Executive will no doubt actualize the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians of a greater future.

The former President also said that as a “thoughtful and responsible father”, he is confident Governor Bala Mohammed has the capacity to make a difference in providing Nigerians with exemplary and transparent leadership.

A statement by Lawal Muazu, New Media Aide to the Bauchi Governor, quoted Jonathan as praising Governors Bala; Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Samuel Ortom of Benue State; and Darius Ishaku of Taraba State for making him and their respective states proud, even as he charged their counterparts in other states to emulate their colleagues’ dedication and service to humanity.

Commenting on the visit, Governor Bala said they were at the former president’s residence to seek his fatherly blessings and formally inform him of the aspiration to run for the office of Nigeria’s President in the forthcoming 2023 election.

He said Nigeria’s history of democracy will continue to remember GEJ as a hero for his commitment to strengthening the process as well as his sacrifices in ensuring that free and fair elections prevailed.

Also in his remarks, a leading Nigerian academic, public intellectual and political activist, Professor Udenta O Udenta said Nigerians are hopeful and confident in Governor Bala’s love for the unity, inclusivity, fairness, equity, peace, progress and development of Nigeria.