Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has declared that the single greatest problem facing Nigeria and many African countries is not merely corruption, but the greed of leaders who hoard resources meant for the people. Jonathan made this revelation while reflecting on his historic 2015 election concession and broader issues of governance, democracy, and stability across the continent.
Speaking during a conversation on electoral processes in Africa, Jonathan emphasized that while electoral violence remains a recurring challenge, the underlying cause is often the refusal of leaders to accept defeat. He argued that the inability of leaders to put national interest above personal ambition fuels conflicts, instability, and destruction of lives and property.
According to Jonathan, what set him apart in 2015 when he called then-General Muhammadu Buhari to concede even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially announced results was his firm conviction that no political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
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“As a leader, especially as the president of a country, taking decisions are very complicated issues because the decisions you take don’t affect only you but affect so many people. In a complex country like Nigeria where ethnicity and religion play strong roles, political decisions cut across deep interests. But even at that, a president must take very high decisions as long as you are convinced it is in the best interest of the people,” Jonathan explained.
He revealed that the atmosphere in Nigeria at the time was tense and could have easily spiraled into chaos, destruction, and bloodshed. “I knew as president that the country was very tense and it could have led to killings and destruction of private property. When I looked at the world scenario, I felt that it was not about being president of Nigeria. My political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian,” he recalled.
Jonathan added that his decision to concede was influenced by his desire to protect the country’s investment climate and shield Nigerians from descending into the type of prolonged crises that have destabilized countries like Sudan and South Sudan. “We encouraged local and foreign investments during my presidency, and I could not sit and watch people vandalizing and destroying what we built because of political conflict,” he said.
Although conceding was disappointing to some of his political associates and supporters, Jonathan maintained that history has vindicated him. “People who worked with me suffered because of that decision, but I am happy today that I took it to save lives and protect investments. Nigerians appreciate me more now than when I was in office,” he noted.
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However, Jonathan was quick to highlight that Nigeria’s deeper governance challenge goes beyond corruption. He drew a distinction between corruption for monetary gain and greed, which he described as a more destructive force.
“There is a slight difference between corruption to make money and greed. The greatest problem we have in most of our countries is greed by leaders, not necessarily heads of state alone. Even those who head departments of government. Greed makes someone steal money he will not spend. That is beyond corruption,” he stated.
Citing Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles by British journalist Richard Dowden, Jonathan said Nigeria’s problem has always been the abuse of resources by leaders who divert public wealth for personal benefit. “If people privileged to lead are not greedy, they will use the resources better and ensure the benefits spread through projects and programs. But when greed takes over, one person wants to corner 50% of the nation’s resources and stash them abroad—money he may never spend. That is the fundamental issue,” he lamented.
The former president insisted that leadership should be measured not by titles or duration in office but by the legacies left behind. “Anybody can be a president, but when you become a president, what did you leave behind? What will people remember you for? That is fundamental,” Jonathan stressed.
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