A recording of the telephone call by President Goodluck
Jonathan to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on March
31, congratulating him on his victory at the last Saturday's
presidential election hit the Internet on Thursday. The
recording revealed what transpired between the two leaders.
President Jonathan had reportedly called Buhari hours before
the official declaration of the presidential election results by
the Independent National Electoral Commission that Buhari
had won the March 28 presidential poll.
The audio of the conversation credited to one ENDS.ng
@EveryNigerian was titled, "Historic congratulatory call from
President Goodluck Jonathan to President-elect Muhammadu
Buhari on March 31, 2015."
This gesture by President Jonathan had been praised in many
quarters with Nigerians and world leaders hailing him for his
demonstration of what they described as rare humility and
spirit of sportsmanship.
Many said it was this gesture by Jonathan that put paid to
the fear that violence might erupt across the country in the
event that the result of the election was rejected by whoever
was declared the loser by INEC.
According to the audio, the following conversation ensued
between Jonathan and Buhari:
Jonathan's aide: Your Excellency, Sir.
Buhari's aide: Good evening.
Jonathan's aide: Hope I'm speaking with General Buhari, sir.
Buhari's aide: Yes.
Jonathan's aide: Ok, President Goodluck Jonathan will like to
speak with you, sir.
Buhari's aide: Ok, ok, I'm connecting you, sir.
Jonathan: Your Excellency.
Buhari's aide: Hold on …I'll connect you, sir.
The phone rings for a moment.
Jonathan: Your Excellency.
Buhari's aide: Hold on, sir.
Buhari: Your Excellency.
Jonathan: Your Excellency, how are you?
Buhari: I'm alright, thank you very much, Your Excellency.
Jonathan: (laughs) Congratulations.
Buhari: Thank you very much, your Excellency (laughs).
Jonathan: Yeah, so how are things?
Buhari: (laughs) Well…
Jonathan: So, you'd find time to come one of these days so
that we can sort out how to plan the transition period.
Buhari: Thank you very much, your Excellency.
Jonathan: Congratulations.
Buhari: Thank you.
Jonathan: Ok.
Buhari: My respect, Your Excellency.
