The will of Alfred Nobel, the progenitor of Nobel Prize stated that Peace Prize be awarded to whoever”shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”.
With the peaceful way that President Jonathan conceded to President-elect Buhari deserves the attention of Nobel Peace Prize committee. He may have not promoted “fraternity between nations” but he surely promotes fraternal peace among Nigerian by conceding power without any shenanigan that have the propensity to produce mass violence.
In Nigeria a miracle took place the day Nigerian presidential election result was released. The global media from their ivory towers were busy predicting evil and doom that will befall Nigeria. The country was in the panic mood and Nigerians were anticipating mayhem to rain down on the country as the results of presidency were being released. Nobody can really blame the citizens and observers of the country’s polity of such an ugly expectation. They were not orbiting beyond earthly reality, their fears and concerns were grounded on history.
Nigeria since the commencement of the experimentation of democratic dispensation has always been confronted with violence as results were released. In the 2011 presidential election 800 dead bodies were so far documented due to uncontrollable violence. But to the greatest surprise to peoples of the world violence was averted and peace rained in the country.
As the winner of the presidential election, General Buhari was declared by Jega’s INEC, President Jonathan did something that has never been done before in Nigerian history. President Jonathan made a phone call to President-elect Buhari and conceded defeat. Afterward President Jonathan took his concession speech to the public air wave and made the below speech:
“I thank you all for turning out en-masse for the March 28 General Elections.
I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.
Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress.
As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else.
I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going through the process of the March 28th General Elections with the commendable enthusiasm and commitment that was demonstrated nationwide. “I also commend the Security Services for their role in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence-free.
To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your support. Today, the PDP should be celebrating rather than mourning. We have established a legacy of democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth and free and fair elections.
For the past 16 years, we have steered the country away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our people the realities of economic development and social transformation. Through patriotism and diligence, we have built the biggest and most patriotic party in Nigerian history. We must stand together as a party and look to the future with renewed optimism.
I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country and assure you that I will continue to do my best at the helm of national affairs until the end of my tenure. I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General Muhammadu Buhari.
May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I thank you all,” he concluded.
This concession speech by President Jonathan averted bloodshed, violence and imbroglio in the most populous country in Africa. This gesture by Jonathan has buttressed to the whole world that Nigeria has joined the comity of civilized nations. Nigeria can be said to have shown great leadership in Africa and made Africans in general and Nigerians in particular to comprehend that transfer of power does not need to be violent but rather peaceful as heralded by the outgoing president of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan.
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