On Friday, former president Goodluck Jonathan paid President Bola Tinubu a visit at the Presidential Villa to offer congratulations on the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding his election.

Jonathan’s visit occurred just twenty-four hours after the Supreme Court rejected the challenges of Peter Ob of the Labour Party, LP and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging Tinubu’s victory.

After celebrating with Tinubu behind closed doors, Jonathan declared that it was time for previous presidents to band together and come up with ideas that would enable the majority of people to escape poverty.

According to him, it is now more important than ever for Nigeria to guide the African continent through its many difficulties.

“We need to bring all of our political leaders together, including all of our former presidents. We will not be fighting,” the former president declared. Top leaders won’t suffer all that much if they battle on, but the oppressed will.

And we proceed because we want to put an end to that tension. Now that the elections are finished, we must proceed.

Speaking about the necessity for Nigeria to take the initiative, he claimed that in spite of the continent’s present economic difficulties, Nigeria has what it takes to lead Africa.

“That’s what all Africans are saying. Prof. Lumumba spoke at a democratic conversation session I hosted, and he underlined how important it is for Nigeria to lead Africa. Although we currently face economic difficulties, we nevertheless possess the necessary skills to lead Africa.

I will continue to talk with the President on these matters, among others, and I will also provide him an update on all of my overseas initiatives.

“They are not personal matters; historically, former presidents have been expected to brief the President upon their return from any continental, regional, or even foreign program.

“Most of the time when you see me here, that’s what we come to do—to advance Nigeria, advance ECOWAS, and advance Africa as a whole,” Jonathan continued.

He acknowledged the nation’s current economic issues and said that Nigerians would overcome them if the government was given enough assistance.