Former
American and Nigerian presidents, Jimmy Carter and Goodluck Jonathan, shake
hands in the United States.
Former
United States President Jimmy Carter has described Nigeria’s former President
Goodluck Jonathan as the symbol of democracy in Africa.
According
to The Nation, Carter, the 39th US President, showered praises on the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and
Museum located at the Carter Center in Atlanta.
Carter
and Jonathan were said to have discussed a wide range of issues during the
meeting, including how to promote peace, democracy and good governance on the
African continent and the world at large.
“President
Goodluck Jonathan is the symbol of democracy in action. You set an example that
other African leaders should follow,” the former US leader said.
While
also praising Jonathan for organizing a transparent election, easily conceding
defeat and handing over to the opposition, Carter said Jonathan showed his deep
democratic commitment.
Jonathan,
in his response, said that his actions while in office were based on his belief
in a peaceful, transparent and people-oriented governance.
He
added that Africa can only move forward through democracy and good governance
and while commending Carter for the exemplary manner he had in his
post-presidential life, the former African leader, noted that he (Jonathan) was
inspired by Carter’s commitment to causes that advance the path of humanity.
Since
his ouster as Nigeria’s president a few months back, Jonathan has been visiting
many strategic pro-democracy institutions on invitation, to share his
experience in office as a promoter of democracy and advocate of good governance
in Africa.
The
former governor of Bayelsa state also recently stormed Tanzania as the chairman
of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to monitor the October 25 general
election in the country, where he also preached peace during the
voting process.
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