President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his
decision to concede defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in
the March 28 election, saying he was concerned about
allowing his personal ambition scuttle a democratic
system he helped nurtured, with the likely consequence
of a “collective tragedy”.
Mr. Jonathan said Thursday that he needed to check
his ambition, as the consequences of not doing so may
have been dire not only for Nigeria, but Africa.
The president made the remarks during separate
meetings with the new ambassadors of France,
Senegal and Ethiopia. He was responding to
commendations for his decision to promptly accept
defeat after it became clear Mr. Buhari had won the
polls.
“Democracy has to be nurtured to grow. Strong
democratic institutions are the backbone and future of
our democracy. They must be protected and nurtured.
As for me, as a matter of principle, it is always the
nation first,” Mr. Jonathan said.
“You need to have a nation before you can have an
ambition. It should always be the nation first. You
don’t have to scuttle national progress for personal
ambition.
“Since I assumed duty, I have been involved in quelling
political crisis in some African countries and I know
what they passed through and what some are still
going through. If you scuttle a system for personal
ambition, it becomes a collective tragedy,’’ President
Jonathan declared.
Mr. Jonathan urged world leaders and international
institutions to give their fullest possible support to the
incoming administration of Buhari.
He also called on all Nigerians to do their utmost best
to help the incoming president succeed in leading the
country to greater heights of accomplishment.
The president appealed for patience, understanding
and cooperation, which, he said, Mr. Buhari will need
to move the country forward to greater, peace, security
and progress.
Speaking with the new French ambassador, Denis
Guaer, President Jonathan urged France to extend the
support and assistance it gave to his administration to
Mr. Buhari’s government.
“President Francois Hollande was our guest in Nigeria
during the celebration of Nigeria’s centenary. He has
been very supportive of the country in the fight against
terrorism. I expect that the same warmth and goodwill
will be extended to the incoming government. I expect
that France will continue to work with the new
administration, especially on issues of terrorism.
“The United Nations has been supportive as well. Our
troops, supported by regional forces, have done very
well in fighting the terrorists in recent times. What we
need now is support to help our people get back their
lives,’’ he said.
The ambassadors commended President Jonathan for
setting a record of humility, patriotism and courage in
safeguarding the democratic process in Nigeria and
Africa.
“Nigeria is not only an economic power in the world
today, but also a great democratic example. And it is
all by your effort, Mr. President. The last elections and
your response was truly a great achievement and you
will always be remembered for it,” the French
ambassador told the President.
Mr. Guaer, the new Ambassador of Senegal, Baboucar
Sambe, and the new Ambassador of Ethiopia, Samia
Zekaria Gutu, who were at the Presidential Villa to
present their letters of credence to President Jonathan,
also assured him that they will do their best to
strengthen relations between Nigeria and their
countries during their tenure.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/181550-why-i-conceded-defeat-to-buhari-jonathan.html
decision to concede defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in
the March 28 election, saying he was concerned about
allowing his personal ambition scuttle a democratic
system he helped nurtured, with the likely consequence
of a “collective tragedy”.
Mr. Jonathan said Thursday that he needed to check
his ambition, as the consequences of not doing so may
have been dire not only for Nigeria, but Africa.
The president made the remarks during separate
meetings with the new ambassadors of France,
Senegal and Ethiopia. He was responding to
commendations for his decision to promptly accept
defeat after it became clear Mr. Buhari had won the
polls.
“Democracy has to be nurtured to grow. Strong
democratic institutions are the backbone and future of
our democracy. They must be protected and nurtured.
As for me, as a matter of principle, it is always the
nation first,” Mr. Jonathan said.
“You need to have a nation before you can have an
ambition. It should always be the nation first. You
don’t have to scuttle national progress for personal
ambition.
“Since I assumed duty, I have been involved in quelling
political crisis in some African countries and I know
what they passed through and what some are still
going through. If you scuttle a system for personal
ambition, it becomes a collective tragedy,’’ President
Jonathan declared.
Mr. Jonathan urged world leaders and international
institutions to give their fullest possible support to the
incoming administration of Buhari.
He also called on all Nigerians to do their utmost best
to help the incoming president succeed in leading the
country to greater heights of accomplishment.
The president appealed for patience, understanding
and cooperation, which, he said, Mr. Buhari will need
to move the country forward to greater, peace, security
and progress.
Speaking with the new French ambassador, Denis
Guaer, President Jonathan urged France to extend the
support and assistance it gave to his administration to
Mr. Buhari’s government.
“President Francois Hollande was our guest in Nigeria
during the celebration of Nigeria’s centenary. He has
been very supportive of the country in the fight against
terrorism. I expect that the same warmth and goodwill
will be extended to the incoming government. I expect
that France will continue to work with the new
administration, especially on issues of terrorism.
“The United Nations has been supportive as well. Our
troops, supported by regional forces, have done very
well in fighting the terrorists in recent times. What we
need now is support to help our people get back their
lives,’’ he said.
The ambassadors commended President Jonathan for
setting a record of humility, patriotism and courage in
safeguarding the democratic process in Nigeria and
Africa.
“Nigeria is not only an economic power in the world
today, but also a great democratic example. And it is
all by your effort, Mr. President. The last elections and
your response was truly a great achievement and you
will always be remembered for it,” the French
ambassador told the President.
Mr. Guaer, the new Ambassador of Senegal, Baboucar
Sambe, and the new Ambassador of Ethiopia, Samia
Zekaria Gutu, who were at the Presidential Villa to
present their letters of credence to President Jonathan,
also assured him that they will do their best to
strengthen relations between Nigeria and their
countries during their tenure.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/181550-why-i-conceded-defeat-to-buhari-jonathan.html
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