Former President Goodluck Jonathan is 58 years old having been born on November 20, 1957 in Ogbia, Bayelsa.
From a shoeless beginning as a canoe maker’s son he rode on the fortunes that come with his name to become leader of the biggest Black nation on earth.
He became governor of Bayelsa State after the impeachment of the now late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha on December 9, 2005 and President following the death of Umaru Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010.
His loss to General Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28, 2015 presidential election was the first by any sitting Nigerian leader but the man affectionately known as GEJ is remembered for the words: “Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian”
Expectedly, he was a trending topic on social media given the interests from supporters and critics alike.
Below are some of the thought captured on Twitter.
They called you clueless, weak etc, but posterity will never forget you. You are a man of honour. #HappyBirthdayGEJ pic.twitter.com/j1dnF6DsLs
— Okowright Balaxy (@PrinceBalaxy) November 20, 2015
#HappyBirthdayGEJ Thank you for teaching us the Goat & Yam theory. We now understand that U are not corrupt once you didn’t sign the check — The Omonile Lawyer™ (@omonilelawyer) November 20, 2015
Someone said #HappyBirthdayGEJ is trending,for tweets he didn’t pay for like Elrufai&Tinubu pays some Buharideen I say a massive ✌?️✌?
— Dalighieri (@bunmola2010) November 20, 2015
#HappyBirthdayGEJ Since twitter is so predictable, GMB supporters must trend his birthday tooo. — Mbamalu-Ike Ogbonnia (@DrMbamalu) November 20, 2015
Happy birthday GEJ… Thank you for relinquishing power when you did…it was water over an already hot mess https://t.co/jkPKKIxxUx
— #OpenNASS #BBOG (@AlabaOginni) November 20, 2015
You didn’t promise us 5k Unemployment fee, but in your regime unemployed youths could make above 5k a month just hustling. #HappyBirthdayGEJ — Prof. R. Dominic (@rowlandominic) November 20, 2015
GEJ your hero, if he didn’t concede defeat, he’ll probably be in solitary confinement by now. He made the right decision. #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— 9ja Ninja (@9ja_Ninja) November 20, 2015
Nothing is ever constant or permanet. You are a year older today. We pray the Lord keep and bless you more. #HappyBirthdayGEJ — FeelIB | Feel Ibadan (@feelib) November 20, 2015
For the Hero worshipers, today is a special day. #HappyBirthdayGEJ Your legacy of ruin, squalor, economic stagnation & insecurity persist
— Dr.taiwo alausa (@tnolas) November 20, 2015
Happy birthday GEJ. As you grow older I hope you come to realize that a good legacy is better than riches and luxury in this world — D.O (@DOlusegun) November 20, 2015
Certainly, people hated GEJ but more people loved him than hated him. This is what counts. #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— Eyen Ibibio (@Uduakisong) November 20, 2015
One man I love so much. A man who refused the blood of innocent souls for ambition. Long live GEJ #HappyBirthdayGEJ — olori Rookie (@aunty_ifeoma) November 20, 2015
#HappyBirthdayGEJ .pls forgive us,we were deceived by overloaded propaganda which we tot were real,now we regret it
— Olise henry (@Henrizones) November 20, 2015
What GEJ did quite well was to Democratize Corruption. An ordinary prison accountant was paying tithe of N60,000,000! #HappyBirthdayGEJ — Bar Baric (@Bar_Baric) November 20, 2015
Happy Birthday GEJ You increased Education funding from N200B-N600B 12 New universities 125 Almajiri Schools Specialised TETFUND projects
— Ebube Nwa GEJ (@akaebube) November 20, 2015
When the dust settles, I have no doubt that history will be kind to you. #HappyBirthdayGEJ pic.twitter.com/nJFABOGe5A — Chibuzo Ike (@chibu4u) November 20, 2015
Your Birthday should be a National Holiday, Sure Need a day off to Celebrate a Great HERO. Happy Birthday GEJ, PhD. pic.twitter.com/VN4U3nSTLr
— Victor Udokpoh (@vikimo) November 20, 2015
GEJ’s maturity saved lives in 2015. PMB’s errrrrm, maturity claimed the lives of thousands in 2011. Happy Birthday GEJ — JERRY (@MaxPhlankMUFC) November 20, 2015
