President Muhammadu Buhari has attributed the success of his 2015 Presidential campaign to the patriotism of his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega.
The President also commended the interest showed by the international community in ensuring a peaceful transition in Nigeria.
The President said this in Abuja on Thursday at the Leadership Newspaper Annual Awards ceremony where himself, Jonathan and Jega were named as Persons of the Year.
“Those of us who were participating actors in the election were led by the higher ideal of the future of our great country and the well-being of our people rather than a mere desire of politicians to win elections,” the president said.
“It is therefore, our commitment to these ideal, the patriotic zeal of President Jonathan, the patriotism of the electoral umpire, INEC, and exemplary conduct of the political parties, foreign pressure and other actors that we collectively disappointed the prophets of doom, who predicted the disintegration of the country after the 2015 general elections.
“Our participation in today’s ceremony is therefore, a mark of confidence to the brand of journalism that is practiced by the Leadership newspapers group,” the President said.
Dr Jonathan was represented by his Minister for Special Duties, Tamimu Yakubu.
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state was named the Governor of the Year, while, the 218 abducted Chibok Girls were awarded the Leadership Young Person of the year award.
Mavin Records singer, Korede Bello, was awarded the Artiste of the Year, while the Golden Eaglets who won the World Youth Championship in 2015 were awarded the Sports Person of the year.
In his keynote address, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, commended Dr Jonathan for not influencing or challenging the 2015 election result.
“In a moment that stands out as the crowning glory of our democracy, then President Goodluck Jonathan, putting the interest of the nation above his personal or group interest, conceded defeat to the current President Buhari, then of the opposition and now ruling party – APC even before the final figures were tallied,” he said.
Former Head of State and chairman of the occasion, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) expressed happiness that the country survived the 2015 election drama against all odds.
