Former President Goodluck Jonathan alleged that former US President Barack Obama plotted his defeat in the 2015 election, detailing the claim in his new book, My Transition Hours. Jonathan described Obama as displaying unusual bias and being “overbearing and ‘condescending’.” He pointed to a video message Obama released to Nigerians on March 23, 2015, which Jonathan claimed was an “unusual step” that amounted to directing them how to vote. Jonathan interpreted Obama’s urging Nigerians to open the “next chapter” as a “subliminal language” prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition.
Jonathan called Obama’s message “condescending,” saying it suggested Nigerians needed Obama to direct them. He lampooned Obama for demanding Nigerians vote without fear while being “reluctant” to let Nigerian security forces clear Boko Haram from occupied territories so citizens there could vote.
Jonathan also criticized former US Secretary of State John Kerry for being “nonchalant” regarding his government, despite efforts to explain that postponing the election served Nigeria’s overall interest. Jonathan questioned how the US Secretary of State could claim to know what was more important for Nigeria than its own government. He challenged the expectation to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled parts of the Northeast and was killing Nigerians, insisting that the constitutional handover date of May 29, 2015, was guaranteed.
BASEMEDIA recalled that Jonathan lost the 2015 election to Muhammadu Buhari, the first time an incumbent president was defeated.
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