North-East group under the (BusinessDay) of “Bring Back Our Goodluck” has tendered unreserved apology to former President Goodluck Jonathan over what they described as damaging narrative of sponsoring Boko Haram terrorists used in removing him from office in 2015.

The group promised to stage a one-million-man march to the former president’s country home in Bayelsa to prevail on him to contest the 2027 presidential election after their tour of the whole regions in Nigeria.

They said that they now believed that the former President was removed from office in 2015 as a result of “regime change” orchestrated by foreign powers, especially the democrats-Obama/Biden US administration of 2014 in connivance with some desperate politicians in Nigeria.

The National Chairman of the group, Grema Kyari stated this in Maiduguri when hundreds of youths gathered to strategise on the return of Goodluck Jonathan to presidential villa in 2027.

“We are gathered here today at a time when our beloved country stands at a decisive crossroads. The Nigeria of today is struggling under the weight of economic hardship, rising insecurity, and deepening divisions. Citizens are losing trust in the very institutions meant to protect and serve them.

“I come before you not only as the National Chairman of ‘Bring Back Our Goodluck’ but as a witness to history and as a Nigerian who, like millions of others, was once misled. I am from Borno State, one of the epicenters of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“During the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a damaging narrative was widely spread in our communities that he sponsored Boko Haram and used the military to suppress us. These lies thrived in an environment of limited restricted access to truth. But today, with broader exposure and clear understanding, I know those accusations were false.

“On behalf of myself and countless fellow Nigerians who were victims of the misinformation, I extend a heartfelt public apology to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. We now recognise that he was a leader with integrity.

We now believe that President Goodluck Jonathan was removed from office in 2015 as a result of ‘regime change’ orchestrated by foreign powers, especially the democrats-Obama/Biden US administration of 2014 in connivance with some desperate politicians in Nigeria, ” said Kyari.

While noting that the former president is a democrat who put the nation first, he recalled that Goodluck Jonathan made history by conceding defeat even before the final election results were declared, adding that the former president personally called the then-General Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him, a courageous and selfless act that prevented post-election violence and safeguarded the country’s democracy.

He recalled that when international pressure mounted, particularly from the Obama-led U.S. administration, to legalise same-sex relationships in Nigeria, President Jonathan stood his ground.

“In January 2014, he signed the same-sex marriage (Prohibition) Act into law, safeguarding our cultural and moral values despite the economic and diplomatic consequences. This stands in stark contrast to the recent Samoa Agreement signed under the Tinubu administration, which many Nigerians believe undermines these values.

“When his administration attempted to remove fuel subsidies in 2012 and Nigerians protested under the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ movement, President Jonathan listened. He partially reversed the policy to ease the suffering of the masses – a mark of humility and democratic leadership. Compare this to the current government’s abrupt removal of fuel subsidies without consultation or adequate safety nets, which has caused untold hardship and unrest.

“Jonathan’s appointments reflected merit and competence, not tribal or political favouritism. He sought to unite rather than divide, a quality Nigeria desperately needs today,” Kyari further said.

He said that Nigeria was in urgent need of a leader who understands that peace is more valuable than power, unity more important than personal ambition, and compassion more enduring than politics. (BusinessDay)