By Omololu Adebayo, Abuja.
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has commended the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for his simplicity in accepting defeat and congratulating his opponent in the March 28 Presidential Election..
Speaking with journalists at the State House, Abubakar, who had been in closed door meeting with President Jonathan, alongside members of the National Peace Committee for the 2015 general election, said they were there to commend the President for his statesmanship after learning that the President had called General Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him.
“I want to thank President Jonathan for being the statesman that he is, he has proved that he is a statesman and he has the love of this country in his heart. So, Nigerians should please help him to ensure this is real.
He also said that it has never been done in history, where an opponent called his rival after defeat.
The former head of state also noted that , “In the history of Nigeria, I think this is the first time where a contestant has called his rival to congratulate him and through this point, President Jonathan maintains a point that the blood of Nigerians is not worth his Presidency and by his action, he has proven that.
“He has proven that he is a man of his word, because during our interaction on this peace committee, he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the elections whichever way it is done. And he has proven this,” he added.
General Abubakar further urged Nigerians and Politicians to give peace a chance as in any contest, one is bound to lose or win, adding that any aggrieved party should seek redress following the electoral law and procedures,
“I appeal again to our youth, to everybody to please give peace a chance and accept that the chief contestant himself has accepted,” he said.
