President Muhammadu Buhari has eulogised his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for conceding defeat during last year’s presidential election even before the official announcement of the results by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Buhari, who spoke with State House Correspondents, said that singular action of Jonathan’s earned him his respect.
He said: “This is where I pay my respect to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“This is actually privileged information for you.
“He called me at a quarter past five in the evening.
“He said good evening, Your Excellency Sir, and I said good evening.
“He said: ‘I have called to congratulate you that I have conceded defeat.’
“Of course, there was dead silence on my end because I did not expect it.
“I was shocked.
“I did not expect it because after 16 years, the man was a Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President and was President for six years.
“For him to have conceded defeat even before the result was announced by INEC, I think it was quite generous and gracious of him.
“So, I thank him for that.
“ (Former Head of State) Abdulsalam (Abubakar) recognized the generosity of Jonathan to concede deceit and said we should go and thank him immediately and that was the first time I came here.”
