Jonathan spoke out against Tinubu, saying everything is unfair in politics

Former President Goodluck Jonathan disagreed with the statement that ‘all is fair in politics’, and stated that it would be wrong for candidates to maneuver the system just to win elections.

Jonathan’s submission contradicts statements by President Bola Tinubu who on July 28 while receiving the Nigerian Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, warned political opponents seeking to oust him in 2027 that he would not give up without a fight, saying “all is fair in the contest of democracy.”

The President’s statement was delivered in the midst of preparations for the 2027 elections, where political parties have increasingly intensively carried out activities and positioning in the elections.

But while delivering a message of goodwill at a public lecture held to mark the 80th birthday of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Kanu Agabi, SAN, former President Jonathan stated that politicians cannot justify every action taken to win an election simply by describing it as political.

According to him, elections must be regulated based on established rules, and politicians must not use efforts to win as justification for violations.

He said, “In politics, this is a disaster. People do stupid things, even criminal acts, and they will tell you that this is politics. This is not politics. Politics has rules. This is a very important thing.”

“Politics is like a football game. You play by the rules, and that’s why the courts step in to mediate if you break the rules. Otherwise, you can do whatever you want and win the election and then walk away.”

The former president also emphasized that the fight to eradicate corruption in the country requires more than just laws and law enforcement agencies, and emphasized that the sustainability of change will depend on building a society that values ​​ethical behavior over wrongdoing.

“The challenge facing Nigeria is not simply to enact laws that eradicate corruption, but to build a culture where ethical behavior is the norm, where public office is treated as a trust, and where institutions are strong enough to uphold accountability.

“We cannot continue to claim that corruption in the private sector will continue to occur. Corruption will not occur until we develop that culture, and no one makes mistakes willingly,” he added.

Recalling the experience in Rwanda, Jonathan said the country’s social values ​​make public officials reluctant to accept gifts that are considered inappropriate.

He said the experience shows how powerfully entrenched social norms can influence people’s behavior beyond what is determined by formal law.

“I gave this to my maids to give to the people who look after me. If you give me a hotel room where no one can see anyone, which is free, they say that accepting small gifts is not in Rwandan culture – just a gift,” he said.

Meanwhile, he emphasized that the country’s important institutions, especially the judiciary, have an important role in ensuring accountability when rules are violated.

“All of us Nigerians have a big role to play if we are to eradicate corruption, not just the bodies created by law to discipline and punish those who do it,” he said, even as he urged politicians to demonstrate higher moral standards.