Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday, congratulated President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on his election.

They also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for what it termed, “rare display of true statesmanship never seen in our nation.” It said his attitude over the outcome of the election saved lives and property, urging Nigerians to learn from its for future peaceful elections. Ohanaeze in a statement by its President General, Gary Enwo Igariwey, charged Buhari to take pride in the peaceful election to expand an deepen true democracy that could benefit all parts of the country.

Ohanaeze said it was grateful to all Nigerians for their peaceful conduct during the election and prayed that peace reigned in the remaining elections in the country.

Obi, former Anambra Governor, who was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka yesterday, commended Jonathan for his “exemplary and practical manifestation of patriotism and statesmanship.”

The congregation applauded Obi when he disclosed that he was with the President when he called President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to congratulate him. According to him, Jonathan rebuffed suggestions from close associates to query the outcome of the election, and, instead, insisted, “Nigeria is more important than anybody; and that everybody should ensure Nigerians stay united and peaceful, and that not even a blood of a Nigerian is worth spilling because of vaulting ambitions.”

The former governor, who also attended yesterday’s Chrism Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ekwulobia, said Jonathan would be remembered as one of the greatest Nigerians of all times, the one that enshrined real democracy in the country.

Obi also commended the President-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory and his acceptance speech in which he assured that he would devote his time and energy in the Nigerian enterprise, without witch-hunting anybody. He urged all parties to see one another as brothers and sisters, without regard to campaign speeches, which, according to him, were bound to throw up tantrums as they do in all climes.

`In his sermon, the officiating Bishop and the Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, called on Christians to turn a new leaf in this Lenten period. He commended President Jonathan’s courage and patriotism, saying that his name has entered the annals of Nigerian history due to his uncommon respect for electoral process, a posture that has entrenched true democracy in Nigeria.