‘I’ve been in a cage for 16 years,’ Goodluck Jonathan

Jonathan expressed the sentiment on Sunday, April 5, while receiving a delegation of dignitaries who visited him in commemoration of the Easter holiday.

President Goodluck Jonathan (Telegraph UK)

President Goodluck Jonathan has compared his time in public office to being in a cage for 16 years.

Jonathan expressed the sentiment on Sunday, April 5, while receiving a delegation of dignitaries who visited him in commemoration of the Easter holiday.

The President however counted himself as one of the luckiest citizens of Nigeria.


“For me as an individual, this Easter coincides with the time I am leaving (office) but I always say that I am one of the luckiest Nigerians. I have yet to see somebody luckier than me,”Jonathan said.

“I have been in government for 16 years beginning from 1999. Not in government as a parliamentarian because if you are a Senator or House of Representatives member, you take care of yourself, you live in your own house. I was in a cage, being taken care of by government. From May 29, 1999 to date; 16 good years. I think it is enough and I am happy,” he added.

“Please help me to thank God for that. I will continue to thank Nigerians for giving me that privilege. I became a deputy governor because Bayelsans voted for me and my governor then (Diepreye Alamieyeseigha). I became a Vice-President because Nigerians voted for (Umaru)Yar’Adua and myself. I continued in 2011 because Nigerians voted for me and Namadi Sambo. I have to thank all Nigerians. Wherever I will be, I will remain grateful to this great country. Today is a glorious day for me,” the President said.

Jonathan was defeated by President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 and 29 Presidential elections.

The President will vacate his office on May 29, 2015, when his successor is sworn in.