Ex-President Jonathan reflects on his emotional toll of 2015 election loss

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in a candid reflection on his 2015 presidential election loss, described the experience as one of the most challenging periods of his career.

Speaking at the Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, Jonathan, who ran under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a historic election, where he garnered 12,853,162 votes to Buhari’s 15,424,921.

Jonathan recalled the emotional impact upon hearing the results, saying it felt as though the world had turned against him.

The 2015 election was notable for being the first time an incumbent Nigerian president lost re-election, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic journey.

He also honored the late Raymond Dokpesi, then Chairman of Daar Communications, for his support during that difficult transition, highlighting Dokpesi’s role in the final days of his presidency.

He said, “It is not easy to lose an election as a president. You will think the whole world is against you. But then, Dokpesi invited me before I handed over. I remember what he said to me when I lost the election.

“There were so many senior Nigerians (elder statesmen) who spoke. After I listened to all the conversations, he congratulated me and encouraged me to look beyond the election. This is how I commemorated that session.

“That communication gave me hope and helped me not necessarily for the transition hour ahead of me but also in my spiritual life as a private citizen. If you read my book, My Transition Hours, I explain it more elaborately.”