Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan yesterday doused rife speculations that he may have quit partisan politics, saying he was not done yet with politics.
He was also categorical that he is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, although he declined to state if he would participate in elective contest in the future.
Jonathan made this known at the unveiling of “My Life and Nigerian Politics” a memoir written by former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja where the former minister of works announced his retirement from partisan politics with immediate effect.
Speaking about his political direction, Jonathan said though he had been absent at PDP meetings since he left office, he was firmly a member of the party.
“I have not retired from politics. I know that since I left office I have not been at meetings of the party but I am still a committed PDP member,” he declared.
He praised Anenih for his role in the nation’s political history describing him as a patriotic Nigerian who was always interested in the unity of Nigeria.
“Anenih works hard to ensure that what he believes in succeeds. He does not emphasize North, South divide,” the former president said.
In his short speech where his retirement from politics was announced, Anenih said, “I am persuaded that I have no more ambition nor any point to prove in politics. I am, therefore, glad to declare that, from today, I shall be withdrawing from active partisan politics. I shall, however, continue to avail the country of my experience, give suggestions and offer advice, as a statesman.”
He paid special tribute to God and some Nigerians for their assistance to him in different degrees.
“My gratitude is, first and foremost, to Almighty God who has been my strength, inspiration and protector in the more than 8 decades that I have lived on this planet.
If I were to be a dramatic person, which I am not, I would have burst into one or more of the praise songs, ringing in my head. I would have sung, “WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO YOU O LORD…” or “ I HAVE A REASON TO PRAISE THE LORD…” or “YOU ARE GREAT..”
