Goodluck Jonathan’s phone call that changed Nigeria
Witness History25 Maalis 2025

Goodluck Jonathan’s phone call that changed Nigeria

In 2015 Goodluck Jonathan became the first Nigerian president to concede election defeat. It allowed the transfer of power to the opposition party in Africa's biggest democracy - a country that had hitherto experienced vote-rigging and violence.

His special adviser on media and publicity Dr Reuben Abati tells Josephine McDermott about the moment when the president phoned his opponent Muhammadu Bahari to congratulate him on winning the election.

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(Photo: President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen Muhammadu Buhari before the 2015 election. Credit: Getty Images)

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