On this week’s episode of #WithChude, former Presidential Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, opened up to Chude Jideonwo about the fickleness of power and why it is important to remember that real power belongs to the people in the long run.
Recounting the occurrences in the aftermath of the 2015 elections that saw his principal, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, ousted from office, Abati revealed how quickly power slipped from him after conceding defeat.
"The first thing I noticed after that phone call that the President had conceded, is that people stopped coming to the villa to see the former President. The villa became a ghost town. The traffic to that villa just disappeared."
"We were seeing pictures of people already going to the other side, to the President-Elect, including members of the Jonathan government. They had changed camp, and the speed with which it was done was amazing." He disclosed.
As protests continue to rage across the country calling for an end to police brutality, many have raised concerns about how the incumbent President is handling the situation. With instances of police violence against peaceful protesters, seeming apathy from political leaders, and the slow-paced response when prompt response is needed, the Presidency may be underestimating the influence the people wield.
"Around the villa, some of the people started taking excuse that they wanted to go to their village, or London for a checkup. These were people who would ordinarily not move an inch, who wanted to be in the presence of the President all the time. That taught me a lesson, that you're only as relevant as the position you occupy."
*Till today,i still seek to Understand why GEJ made that call.
As for those who were not loyal,we know them nau...Power is like that all over the World,once you lose it,all around you becomes quiet.
"You're only as relevant as the position you occupy" word👍✌️ life, position is transient.. reasons we need to do our best in life and any position given or appointed
ReplyDeleteWe can all see that 'the labour of our heroes past has been in vain'
DeleteLet us start praying fervently that 'the labour of our youth shall not be in vain'
*Words on marble*
You cannot stop an event whose time is due in history.
- A concerned Nigerian.
He is very correct! See me as an ordinary HR Mgr, the moment i was re-designated, all my so called friends moved!!!!
DeleteAuntie Stella, he made the call for the sake of peace. Because the Buhari camp through El Dubai had imported mercenaries to cause trouble should Jonathan refuse to leave the presidency. That's why Amechi said they would form a parallel govt. Jonathan truly wanted peace, he isnt blood thirsty.
ReplyDeleteStop the childish lies please, nobody imported anything. . America, Britain, France , Canada and the EU all pressure him to accept the result. Even before the election was held, it was very obvious Jonathan wasn't going to win. Jonathan was told there is life after exiting as president. Today he is balling, moving from one nation to another. He is an international figure, well respected. Unfortunately, most of those who supported him are still in 2015. Jonathan moved on but they refused to move. That's the foolishness of fighting another man's battles
DeleteAlex, do you know they planned to kill and kill people with their imported mercenaries? If you are not living in Kd, Kano or Kt, just 🤐🚶🏼🚶🏼🚶🏼🚶🏼
DeleteGEJ avoided bloodbath, and was the best thing to do.
Mao Akuh thank you. The northern leaders were ready for War. Who imported Libyans mercenaries into Nigeria if not the northern politicians. Yes there was external pressure on Jonathan but the northern leaders were ready to bring war and destruction.
DeleteYou are very right Alex, we all in 2015, or does this country look like what is moving on? No progress, so how will we move on when the country is not moving on. Tchewww
Delete@ Alex
DeleteWere you among the Canadians, Americana etc can called GEJ
GEJ is just like Y’adua gentle and peaceful, he was destined to be President that is why he was there
'You are only as relevant as the position you occupy' Bashir, Adesina, and co hear this , and hear well.
ReplyDeleteYou are right and it's not only power that attracts people to you.
ReplyDeleteSuccess do to,once you are successful or people stand to gain one thing or the other from you.
'Some people's loyalty stops, when they can't gain anything from you'.This is what Yoruba's call "owo epo"
True talk!
ReplyDeleteU no lie
ReplyDeleteHe made the call to allow peace to reign. He could have used his veto power to cancel the election results, seeing how underage voted in the north, he didn't want the innocent blood of Nigeria citizens shed cos of him, he wants peace to reign.
ReplyDeleteDid he have any veto power to cancel elections. Una can talk
DeleteSo you mean as a President of a sovereign nation he doesn't have veto power, say what you know and not what you don't know.
Delete@ Alex yes he got
DeleteFrom last year 2019 election u should know, Atinuku won hands down but you APC people used your Vector power
no he couldn't use nay veto power to cancel he followed th e rules ..he did lose that election because people thought Buhari will be better ..so that was it
DeleteBefore you think they will still stay with him after this protest going on and as for those running away we are changing each and everyone once we vote for youths democratic party next presidential election coming soon
ReplyDeleteNo punctuation marks! I have a headache.
DeleteBut you still read am abi 🙄🙄
DeleteJonathan made the call because he lost an election. It was the best thing for him to do unlike Buhari who's sitting tight and never visible. Just very insensitive.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he made that call Stella. It would have been bloody if he refused to step down or cancelled the election. Na the matter we still dey till now.
ReplyDeleteBut it has been bloody since 2015...from BH to Fulani herds men.Jona just fuck up,he for lock up like Buhari did.
Delete'You're only as relevant as the position you hold'
ReplyDeleteFormer President Goodluck Jonathan never wanted violence for his beloved country that was why he conceded defeat. He's a peaceful and lovely man
ReplyDeleteSigh.
ReplyDeleteOto oro.
Jonathan was and is a peaceful man. I'm glad he made that call, already here in the north that year,the muslims already had a plan for we the christians.My dad was making plans then for us to travel down to the east until everything cools off.
ReplyDeleteOga Abati park well .you are all part of the problems we have in this country . GEJ is not a saint biko . You all contributed to the fall of this country. But this Buhari's own is on another level o. Imagine tomato paste in sachet is now #110.naija which way
ReplyDeleteNo worries e go soon enter 500 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
DeleteIts 150 in my area
DeleteWhat I know is that Dangote and former head of state Abdulsalam Abubakar were with Jonathan as the results were coming in and were with him when he made the concession call and to my surprise less than 20 minutes they were with Buhari. How that was even possible due to the proximity between villa and where Buhari was is still a mystery. Now I'm so sure those two had something to do with the call and of course they were representing both foreign and national interests.
ReplyDeleteThat call saved Nigeria war and bloodshed. Ignorant Nigerians actually didnt know the ready armoury that would have moved in immediately and destroyed Nigeria and Nigerians. Only God intervened long before the election. He took the decision earlier than that night. But today, nemesis seems to be in charge. Just watch people when you are useful to them and you'll know who will stand by you at your worst moment.
ReplyDeleteStella,Jonathan did the right thing to concede cos niger delta youths were ready to start a civil war if he didn’t.He lost the election and did the honorable thing.From a reliable source,Jonathan’s sins were also forgiven because of that phone call.There was one the baddest form of mismanagement,bribery and corruption during Jonathan’s time.
ReplyDeleteAnon 16:07, which kind of management do you have now?
DeleteHubby had to ship us down south because the atmosphere had become tense during that election period and he had to stay with his Vip.