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Nigeria’s President-elect, General Muhammad Buhari

Jonathan will receive understanding and cooperation from me - Buhari

Nigeria’s President-elect, General Muhammad Buhari has described his closest contender in the just ended election as a “worthy opponent”, who will “receive nothing but understanding and cooperation from me”.

General Buhari was addressing the media in Abuja immediately after the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega had made that unprecedented announcement of an opposition party winning an election in the history of the largest economy in Africa.

Elated Buhari commended President Jonathan for his stewardship and the foresight in calling him at 5.15 pm on Tuesday even before the INEC declared the much awaited results, to concede defeat and “congratulate me”.

He assured President Jonathan of a smooth and cooperative transition and extended a hand of fellowship to him.

This move by President Jonathan has been described as one of the most important elements of securing peace in a fragile democracy like Nigeria and a magic wand that had pushed the country into the pedestal of a respected democratic nation.

Victory for Nigeria

According to Mr Buhari whose Abuja PDP party headquarters was surrounded by thousands of supporters holding local brooms, the party’s symbol, was full of praises for the people of Nigeria for their resilience in exercising their inalienable rights to vote.

He saluted them for defying all odds including standing in the rain, joining long and winding queues, voting in late night and waiting to vote the next day to cast their ballot and assured them that the change they yearned for had materialized.

He said the victory was neither for him nor his party but for the entire Nigerian people who had made themselves and their country proud.

No attacks

General Buhari cautioned his supporters not to harass or attack any member of the opposition or their property and that anyone who indulged in this was not with him and must be dealt with according to law.

The 73 year old former military ruler of Nigeria was elected with popular votes of 15,424,921 to beat President Jonathan who had 12,853,162.

Buhari won 21 states. Jonathan had 15 of the 36 states.

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