President Bola Tinubu has described former President Goodluck Jonathan as an icon of democracy who inspires hope of good governance in the country and on the African continent.

Tinubu said this in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, to mark Jonathan’s 66th birthday, on Monday, November 20.

The president hailed Jonathan for his “unique demonstration of statesmanship and for his distinguishing achievement as a leader”.

He noted that Jonathan gave Nigeria and Africa “a pride of place in democratic lore by upending the vitiating paradigm of those who seek to hold onto power by all means.”

Tinubu stated that the former president possesses “a distinguished profile on leadership, rising up the ladder as deputy governor, governor, vice-president, and president.”

READ ALSO: Jonathan: I’d have relocated my mother to Abuja if Diri wasn’t re-elected

President Tinubu also commended Jonathan for championing the “cause of peace in Africa by bringing together and counselling leaders on harmonious co-existence for the benefit of the people they serve.”

He further hailed Jonathan for committing himself to the service of humanity and for strengthening democratic institutions.

This, Tinubu noted, the former president exemplified by his peace missions and advocacy for non-violence in the peaceful transition of power across the African continent.

President Tinubu said Jonathan’s “wisdom, foresight, and patriotism would continue to set examples for leaders aspiring to make a difference in Nigeria and beyond”.

The president prayed that “God Almighty would continue to sustain the former president and his wife, Patience, in good health and strength.”

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015.

He is the only incumbent president in Nigeria’s political history to have conceded defeat in an election when he lost to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 election.

Jonathan was born on November 20, 1957, at Otuoke in Bayelsa State.

The Star