April 21, 2025 – Abuja, Nigeria- In a surprising turn of events, Halimat Waziri, a prominent political commentator and activist, publicly apologized to former President Goodluck Jonathan via her official Facebook handle on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
This surprising turn of events caught many by surprise, as her past criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan were well-documented.
The apology comes a decade after Waziri criticized Jonathan’s administration, acknowledging a change in her perspective regarding his leadership.
“Dear former president Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, GCON. My name is Halima Waziri.
I would like to take this opportunity to officially apologize for criticizing and condemning your administration back in 2015.
Furthermore, I expressed my regret, stating, “I only realized what kind of person you are after you left office.”
You are indeed a man of integrity, not acclaimed integrity; you are a real Democrat, not a dictator.”
Waziri’s apology stands out against Nigeria’s current political climate, characterized by increasing polarization and challenges to democratic norms.
She also reflected on Jonathan’s tenure and recalled a significant post from the former president’s Facebook page dated January 8, 2015.
In that post, he stated,
“My dear Facebook friends, I have said it before, and I will continue to say and live by the fact that my ambition, and indeed the ambition of anybody, is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
Moreover, this retrospective acknowledgment highlights a significant shift in public sentiment toward Jonathan.
He served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, and his tenure is now being viewed through a different lens.
During his administration, he faced intense scrutiny and criticism, particularly during the tumultuous 2015 elections. However, in recent years, many have begun to view his leadership style as a contrast to the current political environment.
Waziri’s apology has ignited discussions on social media, as many users applaud her honesty and openness to reassess her past views.
Moreover, the response proves overwhelmingly positive, with many advocating for accountability and reflection among political commentators and leaders.
As Nigeria navigates its complex political landscape, Waziri’s public apology underscores the importance of integrity.
Furthermore, it highlights the need for constructive dialogue in fostering a healthy democracy.
This unexpected gesture from a former critic may pave the way for reconciliatory approaches in Nigerian politics.
Such actions encourage others to reconsider their past judgments and adapt to the evolving nature of leadership in the country
