Anenih urges politicians to emulate Jonathan

CHAIRMAN of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has urged those aggrieved about the outcome of the presidential election to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan, who he noted, “conceded defeat to General Muhammadu Buhari, so that Nigeria may enjoy peace, and march to greatness and prosperity.”

Anenih said that President Jonathan’s statesmanship in conceding defeat made an indelible mark on the sand of time. He also congratulated General Buhari on his victory at the poll and hoped that his administration would take Nigeria to greater heights.

The BoT chair, in a two-page statement titled: “Marching on with Hope” issued yesterday in Abuja, said: “A keenly contested presidential election, which many predicted would spell doom for Nigeria, has ended, gloriously, with everyone a winner.

“I congratulate the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory. Nigerians are expecting great things from him; it is my hope that he will take this great country to greater heights in the journey towards our manifest destiny.”

He further said that, “President Jonathan has worked, selflessly, to deepen democracy in Nigeria. His consistent advocacy of the rights of the people to freely choose their leaders had earlier yielded free, fair and credible elections in some states of the federation. Now, a peaceful transition is expected to follow after the general elections.

“The 2015 presidential election, in which the incumbent President lost to the opposition, has become a source of pride to Nigeria. It has portrayed to the world that democracy in Nigeria compares to the best anywhere.

“I commend the General Abdulsalam Abubakar-led Peace Committee for its moral advocacy that culminated in the non-violent reception of the outcome of the presidential election.

“I am also happy that the presidential election has put a lie to the doomsday sayers. We have gone through the most critical of the elections and our country is at peace. Glory be to God!

“I congratulate all Nigerians on the success of the Presidential and National Assembly elections and urge all and sundry to participate in the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections with the same zeal and patriotism.

“More importantly, while there are genuine reasons to disagree with certain aspects of the conduct and outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections, I urge all those who may still be aggrieved to emulate the magnanimity and selflessness of President Goodluck Jonathan.”