Former President Goodluck Jonathan revealed that he had opposed becoming Nigeria’s vice president in 2007, saying he almost cried when he assumed the role. He explained that he never intended to occupy such a high office at that time, but destiny had other plans. Jonathan made the comments during a condolence visit to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who was mourning the death of his father in Sampou Community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
He urged politicians to remember that politics is not about personal ambition. “If God wants you to be there, you will be there; if it is not yet your turn, you will not be there,” he said. Jonathan emphasized that those who seek office should serve the people, not themselves. He advised the ambitious to consider business instead, and warned that anyone who wants to be a governor, a member of the state assembly, or any other public official must first earn the support of the people. “If you are humble and serve us, you will not be killed before you serve us,” he added, noting that success in elections ultimately depends on divine will.
Jonathan was selected as the running mate to the late President Musa Yar’Adua while serving as governor of Bayelsa State in 2007. The pair, running under the Peoples Democratic Party, won the election, and Jonathan served as vice president for three years until Yar’Adua’s death. He then assumed the presidency, completing the remainder of the term and winning a full term in the 2011 election. In 2015, he lost his re‑election bid to Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.
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