By Isaac Mission
The Labour Party has praised former President Goodluck Jonathan for putting Nigeria’s national interest ahead of his personal political ambition during the 2015 presidential election.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, said Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat to Muhammadu Buhari helped prevent a potential political crisis and strengthened Nigeria’s democratic process.
Usman made the remarks on Tuesday in Bauchi State while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue.
The event, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, focused on the theme, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
According to Usman, Jonathan’s peaceful response to the 2015 election result demonstrated that political power should never come at the cost of human lives or national stability.
She urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to follow the former president’s example by respecting democratic rules and avoiding statements or actions capable of inciting violence.
Usman said Nigeria had defied widespread predictions of a possible breakdown of democracy in 2015 because Jonathan accepted the outcome of the election even before the final results had been completely announced.
She maintained that Jonathan had consistently expressed the belief that neither winning an election nor remaining in office was worth the blood of any Nigerian, adding that he demonstrated this principle when the 2015 election results went against him.
The Labour Party chairman also questioned whether politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 would be willing to make comparable sacrifices for national unity, particularly amid what she described as increasingly inflammatory political rhetoric.
She called on political actors to place the country’s interests above personal ambitions and ensure that the 2027 elections are conducted within the boundaries of democratic principles.
Speaking about the Labour Party’s preparations for the next general election, Usman described the party as the most structured opposition platform in Nigeria.
She cited the party’s relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress as one of the factors strengthening its nationwide political structure.
Usman expressed confidence that the combined strength of the Labour Party, NLC and TUC would position the party strongly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The dialogue attracted prominent political figures, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
Other dignitaries at the event included former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, APC Deputy National Chairman (South) Dr Ben Nwoye and the Emir of Bauchi, HRM Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
The discussions centred on strengthening democratic institutions, improving the role of political parties and the judiciary, and preventing democratic reversals across Africa.
