Jonathan’s worthy example

Jonathan’s worthy example


President Goodluck Jonathan’s prompt concession of defeat to Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 28 pres­idential election is exemplary conduct that is worthy of emulation by politi­cians throughout the country and the African continent.

The president, who flew the flag of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, not only conceded defeat, he telephoned and congratulated his rival as soon as it became obvious that he had lost. His congratulations preceded the official re­lease of the poll result by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which did not come until several hours later.

We commend the president for his states­manlike approach to the outcome of the election, which was unfavourable to him and his party. His humble acceptance of defeat and gracious expression of good wishes to his main challenger in the election are touching demonstrations of sportsman­ship that is rare to come by in this part of the world. His courage and self-sacrifice deepened our democracy, increased the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process and set a bar to which all our poli­ticians must aspire.

But for his action, the nation might have been plunged into crisis that could have shaken it to its foundations, as had been predicted in several quarters.

Mercifully, Jonathan’s well-intentioned conduct sent a strong message to his supporters throughout the country that he would not appreciate any resort to violence in their quest to ensure that he remains in office. His action was not only uncommon, it is actually unprecedented in the country and it unequivocally communicated the needlessness of desperation to hang on to political office in the coun­try.

Nigerians, indeed, owe Jonathan a debt of gratitude for his sportsman­ship. His acceptance of defeat and subsequent charge to Nigerians to keep the peace, hold him out as a true leader. It has also shown him as a man of his words, having vowed ear­lier that his ambition to remain in of­fice was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. He also, to some extent, brought to pass his prediction that at the time he would leave office, he would be the best-praised president of Nigeria.

Jonathan’s response to his loss at the polls greatly doused the tension that had gripped the country during the rancorous electoral campaigns. It saved the country from calamity and largely contributed to the peaceful conclusion of the presidential elec­tion.

As would be expected, the presi­dent’s conduct has won him many ac­colades from across the country and overseas. Nigeria’s former leader and chairman of the National Peace Com­mittee on 2015 Elections, Gen. Abdul­salami Abubakar, has praised Jona­than for his statesmanship and urged the people to cooperate and assist him in the peaceful handing over to Buhari. Even the opposition APC, that has always been critical of the presi­dent, has praised him for his action, which it described as “a rare display of maturity and statesmanship.” The president-elect, Buhari, described him as a worthy opponent who has, alongside other Nigerians, proved that we have embraced democracy and put a one-party state behind us. The APC spokesman affirmed that Jonathan acted like a hero, and we agree with him. United States (US) president, Barack Obama, said Jona­than’s action demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles and the fact that he placed the na­tion’s interests first.

Now that Jonathan has given the country such a fine example, we urge him to keep faith with his stance and do everything that is necessary to en­sure a peaceful handover to Buhari. He should also do whatever is neces­sary to ensure a seamless transfer of power to the incoming government.

The contestants in the other elec­tions should also borrow a leaf from Jonathan. Let them gracefully concede defeat when they know that they have actually lost their elections, in the in­terest of peace and progress of their constituencies, just like Jonathan did. Even where they feel that they won, let them eschew violence and follow the due process of the law in seeking redress.

For the gubernatorial and state as­sembly elections coming up this Sat­urday, we enjoin the contestants to have the good mind of Jonathan and avoid needless recourse to controver­sies, litigations and violence, if they genuinely lose. The interest of Nigeria and its various constituencies should be foremost in the minds of all of them, and not desperation to get into political offices by all means.

Instead of a recourse to unneces­sary litigations, contestants who genuinely lose their elections should consider the factors that led to their defeat and put their houses in order in preparation for future polls.

For the PDP, it is glaring that the party’s disregard of many of its lead­ing members which led to their di­vided loyalty and massive defections contributed to its defeat at the presi­dential election. So many of the party leaders, including state governors, defected to the leading opposition parties, while even those who re­mained within its fold, including lead­ing founding members of the party in many states who could have helped it perform better in the elections, were ignored and treated with contempt. The party deliberately deprived many of them of senatorial and governor­ship tickets that could have swayed the elections in those constituencies in its favour.

We congratulate and praise Presi­dent Jonathan on his reaction to the outcome of this election. His selfless and mature response is a good les­son and a shining example for lead­ers at every level of government in the country, especially those of the incoming APC. It has unequivocally assured him a place in the pantheon of the nation’s greatest patriots and heroes. Thank you, Mr. President.

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