By Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned that a compromised judiciary and poor governance discourage investment and damage Nigeria’s global reputation. Speaking at the 2025 Haske Satumari Foundation’s annual colloquium in Abuja, he emphasized the need for transparency in governance.
“No serious investor will bring their money into a country where the judiciary is compromised—where government officials can dictate court judgments,” Jonathan stated. He also criticized political leaders for ignoring the right course of action, comparing them to people who pretend to be asleep and cannot be woken up.
He linked Nigeria’s poor global perception not just to cyber fraud but also to governance failures. “Many assume our poor reputation is due to fraudsters like ‘Yahoo Boys.’ While such activities play a role, they are not the only factor,” he said, stressing that leadership decisions have long-term consequences.
Jonathan refrained from directly commenting on the state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that former presidents traditionally avoid criticizing their successors to prevent political tensions. “Look at the United States—former presidents seldom comment on the governance of their successors,” he noted.
The event also featured discussions on inclusion and equity in governance. Kudla Satumari, founder of the Haske Satumari Foundation, highlighted the need to address marginalization, while Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang pointed to lessons from his state on managing diversity.
Kenyan Senator Crystal Asige delivered the keynote speech, focusing on the systemic barriers faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in politics and governance. She called for stronger enforcement of inclusive policies, emphasizing that PWDs should not be restricted to disability issues alone.
