Jonathan, who announced that he was short of words to express his feeling at the crowd that lined up the streets of Yenagoa to welcome him back, said he had thought he would be booed and cursed by the people for some decisions made and development not attracted to the state.
Accompanied to the venue by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Ondo State Governor,Olusegun Mimiko, among other dignitaries, the former president said when he was about leaving Abuja for Bayelsa State,he had fears that because of some wrong decisions on his part, the people were not satisfied with him and as such they might not welcome him.
"Because you are exposed to the decisions of high office and the thought that you may not have satisfied the people, sometimes you think they will curse you or boo you," he said. "But, instead,the people have decided to celebrate me."The former President acknowledged the role played by some political leaders in the State for his emergence as a politician, said sometimes he had thought that if he had stayed in Bayelsa, he would have done better as a governor,but I left to allow others grow politically."
Jonathan announced that he will dedicate his life to peace building across the country and the nation.
"Nigerians have given me so much and the only thing I can do with the rest of my life is to dedicate myself to peace building. We need peace and development. Political crises don't bring development. I believe the new administration will work with everybody.I am happy the new President said he does not belong to any clique."
Earlier in his welcome speech, the State Governor,Hon. Seriake Dickson,said though he was moved by emotion while waiting to receive the former president due to the fact that such duty would be the last to a President from Bayelsa, the people of the state are happy that the Jonathan arrived the state safely.
"We are grateful to the party and the political class for giving Jonathan opportunity to serve, and such service he did well..He is our celebrated leader and hero of democracy.
"And to those people who Bayelsa and Ijaw nation is down, don't laugh yet.We may be down and not out," Dickson said..
The first military governor of old Rivers State and the Amananayabor of Twon Brass,King Alfred Diette-Spiff,in his solidarity message,said the people of the State should be thankful to God for the emergence of Dr.Goodluck Jonathan,
"When you look at it, the great sage,late Obafemi Awolowo wished to be a President for one day,but Jonathan was President for more than 3,000 days.
-Thisday