Bauchi, Nigeria — The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has praised former President Goodluck Jonathan for his historic role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
Senator Usman urged today’s politicians to emulate his non-violent approach to politics.
Jonathan’s Defining Moment in 2015
Speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Senator Usman recalled Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat in the 2015 presidential election even before final votes were tallied.
She described the move as unprecedented in Nigeria’s political history, noting that Jonathan had consistently maintained that “neither his election nor remaining in power was worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
According to Usman, Jonathan’s concession defied predictions of chaos and bloodshed, ensuring Nigeria’s democracy survived a critical test.
“The democracy Nigerians practise today has survived till this day because Jonathan made sacrifices in the past,” she said.
Usman added that his example remains a guiding principle for political leaders.
Call to Politicians Ahead of 2027
Senator Usman urged politicians vying for the presidency in 2027 to play by the rules and embrace Jonathan’s virtues of peace and sacrifice.
She warned that inflammatory rhetoric from political camps threatens national stability.
She questioned whether any of today’s candidates would be willing to make similar sacrifices for the country’s unity.
Quoting Warren Buffett, she reminded politicians that “someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago”.
She stressed that Jonathan’s actions in 2015 planted the seeds of democratic resilience that Nigerians enjoy today.
Labour Party’s Position
On the Labour Party’s readiness for the next election, Usman declared it the most structured political party in Nigeria.
She cited its constitutional ties to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The Labour Party leader argued that with presence in 186,000 polling stations nationwide, the Labour Party is best positioned to challenge the ruling APC government.
She called on opposition parties seeking coalition to collapse their structures into the Labour Party, insisting it remains the only opposition party with a realistic nationwide presence.
Democracy Dialogue Highlights
This year’s Democracy Dialogue, themed “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”, attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
Attendees included former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Other attendees are former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and former Plateau State governor Jonah David Jang.
The rest are APC Deputy National Chairman (South) Dr. Ben Nwoye, and the Emir of Bauchi, HRM Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu CFR.
The gathering underscored Jonathan’s enduring influence on Nigeria’s democratic discourse and highlighted the need for political actors to prioritize national interest over personal ambition.
Senator Nenadi Usman’s remarks serve as a reminder of the sacrifices that preserved Nigeria’s democracy and a call to current leaders to uphold those values.
As the 2027 elections approach, her message resonates strongly: democracy thrives not on violence or ambition, but on the willingness of leaders to put the nation above themselves.
