But beyond this, President Jonathan and the President-elect, Buhari must work together to ensure a smooth transition
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s acceptance of defeat to Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate at the just concluded presidential election is a remarkable feat that will surely deepen the country’s democracy. No sitting government in Nigeria has ever lost in its re-election bid. Jonathan had called to congratulate Buhari on Tuesday evening before the final results were announced, after it became evident that he had lost the re-election bid. That singular action of conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari on his victory has distinguished President Jonathan as true statesman that perceives politics as sports not a do or die affair. It also calmed the teeming supporters who might have been spoiling for a fight should he reject the presidential election result.
Jonathan’s concession in no small measure averted probable post-election crisis and saved hundreds of lives that would otherwise have been lost had there been crisis. Indeed, Jonathan deserves a fair-play trophy for his conduct before, during and after the polls.
By conceding defeat, President Jonathan has also proved all the 2015 Dooms-day predictions that had forecast the disintegration of the country, following crisis that a school of thought believed may arise from the 2015 Presidential Election. Contrary to the predictions including that of United States intelligence think-tank that Nigeria would be torn apart, the country has rather come out more united. This is traceable to the maturity displayed by Jonathan in not disputing the presidential election result and Buhari who dedicated his victory to the Nigerian people as well as congratulated and appreciated the statesmanship of Jonathan. Both men have indeed lived up to their commitment in the Abuja Peace Pact in which they swore to eschew violence before during and after the election.
President Jonathan must also be commended for his neutrality and non- interference in the electoral process. Before the election, there were persistent calls for the removal of the Professor Attahiru Jega the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But despite the calls, Jonathan did not in any way make any move to oust the INEC chairman. Indeed Jega attested to the fact that he was never under any form of pressure from government quarters. On the intra-party level, Jonathan also gave the party hierarchy a free hand to choose the candidates of the party for the various elective offices. It is on record that former members of the Federal Executive council (FEC) who resigned the position to contest were not given any preferential treatment at the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) primaries leading to the defeat of most of these cabinet members.
As Nigeria prepares to go for the Governorship and State Assembly polls on April 11, contestants at the election need to learn some lessons from the conduct of President Jonathan. Certainly, the elections must not be a do or die affair and candidates defeated at the election, should take their defeat in good fate.
But beyond this, President Jonathan and the President-elect, Buhari must work together to ensure a smooth transition.
