Former President Goodluck Jonathan says his membership in the West African Elders Forum is one of the reasons for his recent absence from politics. He, however, noted that Nigerian politics is a business of rascals “that they play in the motor park”.

Jonathan gave this explanation in Abuja, while speaking at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, with the theme ‘Legacy of Impact, Celebrating Our Journey’. The event also included a gala dinner to mark Mr Jonathan’s 68th birthday.

Mr Jonathan, who apparently was explaining to his associates why he hasn’t been involved in active politics, said that WAEF membership comes with a strict condition of non-partisanship.

He explained that the forum is a preventive diplomacy initiative composed of former heads of state who visit countries within the sub-region during election periods to mediate and prevent crises arising from poorly managed elections.

“The idea is, yes, we observe the elections, but we are not co-observers. We go there to make sure that if we notice anything that is coming up negatively, we intervene and try to see what we could do so that those issues will not snowball into a full crisis. The condition to be a member of the WAEF is that you must be a former president within the sub-region and a former president of ECOWAS.

“One clear condition is that you will no longer be an active politician, and that is why I am disappointing most of my political associates. They expect me to play an active role in politics, but before I play an active role in politics, I will first and foremost resign from the WAEF,” Mr Jonathan said.

Speaking on the state of the nation, Mr Jonathan decried what he termed “rascality” in politics, charging politicians to conduct themselves with decorum and a sense of responsibility. He said that, unlike other professions such as teaching, which require training and certification, individuals often enter politics and assume leadership positions without basic training.

“We must change the face of politics. We must see politics as a business of responsible individuals, not a business of rascals that they play in the motor park,” he said.

(NAN)