BAYELSA, Nigeria — Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned Nigerian politicians against desperation for political power, warning that some behave as though they own the country and are beyond the reach of God.
Jonathan, who expressed concern over the conduct and rhetoric of politicians, particularly those seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections, challenged them to consider the legacy they intended to leave behind.
He questioned whether politicians wanted to be remembered for killing people and setting houses ablaze in their desperate pursuit of electoral victories.
The former president spoke at the funeral service of Elder Freeman Ayeimieye, husband of the Bayelsa State Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayeimieye, held at St Peter’s Deanery in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, reports ThisDay.
Jonathan described political power as temporary and urged aspirants to exercise restraint in their campaign rhetoric, reminding them that ultimate authority belongs to God.
He warned political office holders against assuming that their positions made them invincible or entitled them to take God’s mercy for granted.
“Some of them talk as if they own the world, but in reality, they are mere mortals – individuals. No matter how powerful you are, if you get lost today, nobody will remember you. Nobody cares about you. Nobody should think that he owns the world, Nigeria, or even his own family.
“Sometimes, you will be surprised that some of your children might not even vote for you. That is the funny thing about politics. So, we must tread carefully as all powers belong to God Almighty alone,” he said.
Reflecting on the life of the deceased, Jonathan described Ayeimieye, a lay reader in the Anglican Communion, as a man whose service to the church and community deserved lasting remembrance.
He said burial ceremonies offered important lessons about the inevitability of death, urging Nigerians, particularly political leaders, to reflect on how they would be remembered after leaving public office.
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who also spoke at the ceremony, recalled the support the deceased gave his wife during her appointment as the state’s Chief Judge.
Diri said his interactions with Ayeimieye had left him with a positive impression of the late clergyman and praised the cordial relationship between his administration and the judiciary under Justice Ayeimieye.
According to him, the achievements of his government were products of cooperation among the executive, legislature and judiciary, rather than the efforts of the governor alone.
“Since that appointment, I have worked in peace and synergy with the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State and with the Judiciary. Any achievement of this government is because we have worked together. It is not me as governor alone. It is because we have worked together, the executive, legislature and the judiciary,” he said.
In a sermon entitled ‘Seeking God’s Kingdom’, the Bishop of the Niger Delta West Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rev. Nexon Enekeme, cautioned Christians against making titles, political positions and material possessions the principal pursuits of life.
He reminded the congregation that none of these would accompany anyone to the grave and urged them to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring them that other things would follow.
Among dignitaries at the funeral were former First Lady Patience Jonathan; the governor’s wives, Dr Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Diri; Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe; members of the National Assembly; Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Michael Ogbere; and the chief judges of Rivers, Delta and Oyo states, alongside other government officials.
