Jos – Former Head of State, Gen.
Yakubu Gowon, said the peaceful conduct of March 28 Presidential poll won by
Maj.-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, has shamed doomsayers that Nigeria would break up in
2015.
“No one will ever repeat that wild and arrogant prediction that Nigeria will
go under; those doomsayers have been shamed and Nigeria will grow from strength
to strength’’, Gowon said in Jos. While recalling the prediction that the
country would disintegrate in 2015, Gowon declared that those that made the
prediction did not reckon with Nigeria’s ability to solve its problems.
“The nation has always had the
mechanism to tackle its concerns and this election and its peaceful outcome
have proved that a united and focused nation would always survive and move
toward greatness’’, he said.
The former Head of State expressed
happiness that the polls were adjudged free and fair by local and international
observers, and commended the patience and resilience of the voters, who defied
rain and the scorching to cast their votes.
“During the elections, I visited
polling units in Asokoro, Karu, Nyanya, Maitama and Wuse; the people came early
and in many cases waited for INEC officials that came late. I was touched by
such commitment.
“I was also touched by the good
spirit and camaraderie amongst the voters as they waited to vote; I was also
happy that they were very friendly and did not allow their political
differences to tamper with the fact that they all had one destiny’’, he said.
Gowon also commended INEC officials,
especially the NYSC members, for insisting on doing the right thing, and urged
Nigerians to keep that spirit so that democratic governance would come of age.
He specially praised President
Goodluck Jonathan for quickly calling to congratulate the winner, and described
that step a “very soothing balm that ended all fears and anxieties.’’
“The President’s gracious
congratulation saved Nigeria from violence. That good wish was very timely and
saved Nigeria’s democracy.
“There is no doubt that it set the
tone for peace because the situation would have been otherwise if he had
remained silent and allowed his supporters to interpret that silence their own
way.
“It is something that has never
happened in Africa, and definitely not in Nigeria, so we must respect that
spirit and challenge other politicians to emulate it’’, he said.
Gowon advised Buhari to listen to
Nigerians and do their bidding.
“Nigerians wanted a change, so
Buhari must offer that change. They complained of corruption, insecurity and a
slow economy. The new helmsman must address these issues’’, he said.
While wishing Buhari divine wisdom,
he challenged him to strive to do better than his predecessor so that Nigerians
would see and feel the difference. (BraveheartNija)
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