Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday accepted the apology of Shagari Aminu, the son of an ex-president, Late Shehu Shagari, for working against him in 2015.
Aminu had recently tendered a public apology to the former president, asking for his forgiveness over the role he played in 2015 that saw President Muhammadu Buhari defeat Jonathan in the presidential election of that year.
“Let me use this opportunity to tender a public apology to former President Jonathan and seek forgiveness because I helped to divide the Peoples Democratic Party and bring down his government, but, I have found out that what we thought about his stewardship was not entirely true.
“I expect President Buhari to also ask for forgiveness having found out that most of the things he accused my dad’s and President Jonathan’s administrations of are not true,” Aminu had said.
Replying in a post on his Facebook page, Jonathan thanked Aminu for the apology, saying he never took offense because his firm belief was that he was a pencil in the hand of God.
Noting that he had no enemies to fight because of his confidence that people could only do to him what God permitted, Jonathan urged Aminu to continue to emulate the humility of his father, a most detribalised Nigerian.
“Dear Honourable Aminu Shagari, Thank you for your apology. However, I never took offence. My firm belief is that I am a pencil in the Hand of God.
“Therefore, I have no enemies to fight, because of my confidence that people can only do to me what God permits. I urge you to continue to emulate the humility of your father, the late President Shehu Shagari, a most detribalised Nigerian. May God bless you. GEJ.”
Aminu is a three-term House of Representatives member. His father Shagari, the first democratically elected president, had his administration toppled by Buhari after the 1983 military coup.
KanyiDaily recalls that Shehu Shagari’s eldest son, Alhaji Bala Shagari had clarified that his late father held no grudges against President Buhari for the 1983 coup.