Governor Seriake Dickson, ex-president Jonathan and Patience at the Friday reception for the former leader

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed his successful political career to the efforts of former governor of Bayelsa, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, the man he gave a controversial state pardon in March 2013, after he was jailed for graft and theft of public funds.

Jonathan, who was speaking at the thanksgiving service to round-off the civic reception organised in his honour by the Bayelsa Government, said he remained grateful to the former governor.

Jonathan, who equally expressed gratitude to his aides and associates, said Alamieyeseigha discovered, mentored and brought him into politics.

“I am grateful to my aides and all those that worked with me to ensure our success.
The business community, some of whom are here with us, on behalf of myself and wife, we thank you, we owe you so much.

“I will not forget to thank Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, without him, I won’t have been here talking about being a former president.

“At a time I was not even thinking about being a commissioner in the state, he invited me to run with him.

“Of course that is why I am here to also thank him, without him, it would not have been possible, nobody would have heard about Jonathan,” he said.

Jonathan said that even as a former president, he remained committed to the development of his community, Bayelsa and the nation at large.

Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa noted that the feat attained by former president as a ‘Hero of Democracy’ was an act of God and justified the need for the thanksgiving service.

Dr Uma Ukpai, Guest Speaker at the event held at St Peters Anglican Church, Yenagoa, noted that Jonathan remained consistent despite the various obstacles that confronted him.

He described him as a considerate leader observing that obstacles in life were meant to make people resilient.

“If in life, you have no problem, it means that God has forgotten you and the devil has rejected you.

“We are measured in life by the enormity of the problems we solve,” Ukpai said.

Rev Ayo Oritsejafor, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led other clergymen in offering prayers for Jonathan, Bayelsa and for peace and security in Nigeria.