President Buhari praises president Goodluck Jonathan

President Muhammadu Buhari expressed during a recent meeting with his media support group, Buhari Media Organization (BMO), that the actions of his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in conceding defeat before the formal announcement of the election result, were unprecedented and not in line with Nigerian norms.

During the farewell meeting held at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, May 18, President Buhari shared his astonishment at the moment Dr. Jonathan called him at 5:25 pm on that fateful day to convey his congratulations and concession. President Buhari considered this act to be uncharacteristic of Nigerians. He also stated, “Jonathan called me at 5:25 that evening to say congratulations. I said pardon me, Mr. President? He said yes, and I called to concede and congratulate you. That was equally very un-Nigerian.”

Furthermore, President Buhari urged fellow Nigerians to embrace their responsibilities if they genuinely aspire to witness the nation’s progress. He commended the members of BMO for their selfless dedication throughout his eight years in office, highlighting their voluntary efforts without any salary, formal appointments, or material rewards. President Buhari regarded their sacrifices as unconventional, describing them as “very un-Nigerian.”

between President Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan served as the President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, while President Muhammadu Buhari served as the President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023.

In the 2015 Nigerian presidential election, President Buhari, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, ran against President Jonathan. Dr Jonathan was seeking re-election as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). President Buhari emerged as the winner of the election. Defeating President Jonathan and becoming the President. This made way for a peaceful and democratic transfer of power from President Jonathan to President Buhari.

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After the election results were announced, President Jonathan graciously conceded defeat. The former president also congratulated President Buhari, setting a positive precedent for a smooth transition of power in Nigeria. This act was widely applauded both within Nigeria and internationally for its commitment to democratic values and peaceful political transitions.