The National Peace Committee on the 2015 Elections, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his “statesmanship” in conceding defeat and congratulating retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for his victory in the presidential election.
Former Head of State and leader of the committee, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, gave the commendation at a briefing with State House correspondents shortly after meeting with Jonathan at the Aso Rock villa.
Abubakar said the committee also thanked Nigerians and the international community for its support during the election.
“The election has been very peaceful despite the hitches there. At the end of the elections at the counting there was a lot of upheavals that has happened. But thankfully they have been contained.
“We were in the middle of a meeting with the international observers to try to see how we can see how we can still water the tension down when gladly I called Gen Buhari to tell him that we were going to see him.
“He (Buhari) told me Mr President had called him at about 5.15pm and congratulated him and conceded defeat. We were spellbound. And the reason we have come here is to thank President Jonathan for this statesmanship.
“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 has always maintained a point that the blood of a Nigerian is not worth his presidency and by his action he has proved that.
“He has proved that he is a man of his words because during our interaction on this peace committee he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the election whichever way it has gone. And he has proved it.”
Abubakar said that all the members of the peace committee had tried to ensure that peace reigned in the country.
He said that “I think we need – Nigerians all of us – to join hands in making sure that we assist him (Jonathan) in a peaceful handover.
“I will appeal to all politicians those who are celebrating, and those who are sorrowing, to please give peace a chance, to be moderate.
“In any contest there will always be a winner. And President Jonathan has accepted that he lost and we want to thank him on behalf of Nigerians; we want to thank President Jonathan for being the statesman that he is.
“He has proved that he is a statesman. And that he has the love of this country in his heart. So Nigerians should help him to ensure this history.”
The former head of state, who said that the electoral law had provisions for seeking redress, urged anyone who had issues to use the laid down process of seeking redress.
He appealed to the youth and all to give peace a chance and accept that.
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