President Jonathan Congratulates President Elect Muhammudu Buhari.

Jonathan congratulates Buhari

President Goodluck Jonathan, at about 5.15pm on Tuesday, when the last results were being read, congratulated Buhari for his victory.

A former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, made this known and commended President Jonathan for his sportsmanship.

Abubakar spoke State House correspondents shortly after leading members of the National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections to a closed-door meeting with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to Abubakar, “We were at the middle of a meeting with the international observers to try to see how we can still water the tension down when, gladly, I called Gen. Buhari that we are going to see him, he told me that Mr. President has called him at about 5:15 p.m. and congratulated him and conceded defeat.

“We were spellbound and the reason we have come here is to thank President Jonathan for this statesmanship.

“In the history of Nigeria, I think this is the first time where a contestant has called his rival to congratulate him and through this point, President Jonathan maintained a point that the blood of Nigerians is not worth his Presidency and by his action he has proved that.

“He has proved that he is a man of his word because during our interaction on this peace committee, he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the election whichever way it is done. And he has proved this.”

Abubakar urged all Nigerians to join hands and assist the President in peaceful handing over.

“I want to thank President Jonathan for being the statesman that he is, he has proved that he is a statesman and he has the love of this country in his heart. So Nigerians should please help him to ensure this is real."