congratulating Gen Muhammadu Buhari as winner of Saturday's
Presidential Election.
In Enugu, the residents commended the president for his display of
sportsmanship following the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the
All Progressives Congress (APC).
Some of the people, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Tuesday said Jonathan had exhibited great statesmanship.
The South-East Coordinator of APC Presidential Campaign Organisation,
Chief Osita Okechukwu, said the victory which was for Nigerians was a
display of democracy.
"We congratulate Nigerians for the peaceful elections. We also
congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of
sportsmanship by congratulating Gen. Buhari.
"The core ingredient of election is a reflection of the performance of
the incumbent and the character of the challenger.
"This victory shows that votes of the people count in elections,''
Okechukwu said.
According to him, Gen. Buhari has promised to run a transparent
government, war against corruption and provide maximum security to
citizens of the country and he will deliver.
The South-East Zonal Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Mr
Olu Omotayo, said it was the first time in the history of the country
that an opposition party was winning elections at the centre.
Omotayo, who also congratulated Jonathan, said the victory of an
opposition party was a reflection of change in the democratic parlance
of the country.
He urged the president-elect to live up to the expectations of the
people in order to justify the confidence reposed on him.
A political analyst, Mr Uche Ezechukwu, said the gesture of Jonathan
by conceding defeat in defiance of reported pressures from close
advisers was `historic'.
"This is the first time in the history of the country for an incumbent
president to concede defeat. It might not be easy for ordinary minds
to grasp.
"But the statesmanship of GEJ by conceding defeat in defiance of
reported pressures from many of his close advisers has saved Nigeria.
"He is definitely a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. I thank God
for him,'' Ezechukwu said.
The Executive Director, Women in Peace and Leadership Network, Mrs Joy
Onyeso, congratulated Buhari for his victory.
Onyeso appealed to the incoming president to give the women a priority
in his administration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that APC members in Enugu
State led by the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Mr
Okey Ezea staged a victory party at the Gen. Buhari's campaign
Organisation in Enugu.
NAN however, reports that the state is generally calm and peaceful.
In Lagos, some prominent lawyers in Lagos have praised Jonathan for
calling Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on phone to concede defeat to him.
The lawyers told NAN said Jonathan displayed an uncommon statesmanship
which had further deepened democracy in Nigeria.
The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos branch, Mr Alex
Mouka, said the defeat of the incumbent president by the opposition
was a landmark in Nigeria's electoral history.
"I must congratulate the incumbent president for conceding and calling
to congratulate the president-elect.
"That is a very good omen and he displayed a statesmanlike manner,''
Mouka said.
He, however, noted that there were still some issues which needed to
be addressed for the country to achieve a better electoral process.
The NBA chairman also urged the Independent National Electoral
Commission to investigate the complaints presented to it by the
political parties to ensure a more credible electoral process.
Also, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, a former NBA Chairman in Ikeja, commended
Nigerians for their resilience and commitment toward the entrenchment
of true democracy in the country.
"We must appreciate Jonathan for being the one that laid this
foundation of the revolution that has even now swept him out of
office.
"But the good thing is that he will be remembered for laying this
foundation for this revolution that has just taken place.
"For him to concede defeat and congratulate the president-elect means
that he is on the verge of putting his name down in gold.
"This will become a reality if the president hands over on May 29
willingly to Buhari without any chaos or violence.
"That will be very fantastic and he will never be forgotten. His name
will be etched in gold and he will become a statesman for this
nation," Ubani said.
Ubani further said that the outcome of the election had shown that
power was being restored to the people through the ballot, adding that
it was no longer business as usual for the politicians.
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