Jonathan Pleads For Forgiveness

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The last Sunday service in Villa Chapel
The last Sunday service in Villa Chapel

By Nuel Suji

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday pleaded for forgiveness from any Nigerian he may have offended during his tenure.

Jonathan, who spoke at a farewell service organized for him and his family on Sunday at the Aso Villa chapel, said there was no way he would not have stepped on toes in his roles first as Vice President, Acting President, and President of Nigeria.

The President said such offence would not have been deliberate, but happenstances of officialdom.

He noted that there are times when one would take a decision in the best interest of all but even friends would misunderstand the situation.

“So for the eight (years) that one has been there, definitely one is not perfect. We have certainly done things that probably we wouldn’t have done that way, but we didn’t do things deliberately.

“So for those who we have offended it was not deliberate, it was circumstances of the office. So we also plead that those people should forgive, we think we have done our best.

“You can do your best and your friends may misunderstand you,” he said.

The President said his last church service at the Villa chapel would have been next Sunday May 24, but on that day, “we will all go to the National Christian Centre for the inauguration service.

“So for me and my wife, this is our last day of worship here. The congregation will continue until new government takes over.”

Vice President Yemi Osibajo, was absent at the Church service despite invitation.

Speaking to journalists after the Sunday service, the Aso Rock Chaplain, Obioma Onwuzurumba, said the Vice President-elect had been duly invited but was unfortunately absent. He sent a representative in his stead.

Jonathan is the second christian president from the southern Nigeria to use the Aso Villa chapel. It was built by President Olusegun Obasanjo in his first tenure in 1999.