President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said despite his
defeat in the hands of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the
All Progressives Congress in the last presidential election, the
Peoples Democratic Party should be celebrating rather than
mourning.
In his statement after the announcement of the election result,
Jonathan said the PDP should be rejoicing because it had in
the last 16 years steered the country away from ethnic and
regional politics.
He said, “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.”
The President thanked all Nigerians for the opportunity given
him to lead the country.
He assured them that he would continue to do his best at the
helms of national affairs until the end of his tenure on May 29.
Jonathan disclosed that he had conveyed his personal best
wishes to Buhari and prayed that God continue to bless
Nigeria.
While thanking Nigerians for turning out en-masse for the
March 28 elections, he said he had kept his promise to
bequeath the culture of free and fair elections to the country.
He added that he had also expanded the space for Nigerians
to participate in the democratic process, saying that is one
legacy he would like to see endure.
Jonathan said although some people have expressed mixed
feelings about the results announced by the Independent
National Electoral Commission, those who might feel
aggrieved should follow due process based on the constitution
and electoral laws in seeking redress.