Jamiu Yisa

Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad with Jonathan

Elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, member of the National Peace Committee and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III have applauded President Goodluck Jonathan for congratulating General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the presidential election ahead of an official declaration by the electoral body.

Speaking on Channels Television’s election coverage programme, Nigeria 2015, Chief Anyaoku said that the action by Jonathan would send a message to the rest of Africa on the proper response by contestants in a standard democratic process.

Chief Anyaoku spoke via the telephone while the result of the presidential election from Borno State was still being expected, praised the peaceful conduct of the elections, and particularly the President for making Nigeria proud by his acceptance of defeat.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, while reacting to the conduct and outcome of the election during a phone interview on Channels TV last night, commended the president over his prompt concession of defeat to his main challenger in the March 28 presidential election describing the gesture as a lesson for all Nigerians.

Sultan Abubakar described the election as the best in Nigeria’s history, adding that he hoped Buhari would reciprocate Jonathan’s positive gesture.

He further praised the incumbent president for proving his forthrightness after having repeatedly promised to conduct free and free elections during the deliberations of the peace committee.