Buhari’s election has shamed doomsayers — GOWON

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, said the
peaceful conduct of March 28 presidential poll won by Maj.-
Gen Muhammadu Buhari, has shamed doomsayers that
Nigeria would break up in 2015.
“No one will ever repeat that wild and arrogant prediction
that Nigeria will go under; those doomsayers have been
shamed and Nigeria will grow from strength to strength”,
Gowon told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Jos.
While recalling the prediction that the country would
disintegrate in 2015, Gowon declared that those that made
the prediction did not reckon with Nigeria’s ability to solve
its problems.
“The nation has always had the mechanism to tackle its
concerns and this election and its peaceful outcome have
proved that a united and focused nation would always
survive and move toward greatness”, he said.
The former Head of State expressed happiness that the polls
were adjudged free and fair by local and international
observers, and commended the patience and resilience of
the voters, who defied rain and the scorching to cast their
votes.
“During the elections, I visited polling units in Asokoro,
Karu, Nyanya, Maitama and Wuse; the people came early
and in many cases waited for INEC officials that came late. I
was touched by such commitment.
“I was also touched by the good spirit and camaraderie
amongst the voters as they waited to vote; I was also happy
that they were very friendly and did not allow their political
differences to tamper with the fact that they all had one
destiny”, he said.
Gowon also commended INEC officials, especially the NYSC
members, for insisting on doing the right thing, and urged
Nigerians to keep that spirit so that democratic governance
would come of age.
He specially praised President Goodluck Jonathan for
quickly calling to congratulate the winner, and described
that step a “very soothing balm that ended all fears and
anxieties.”
“The President’s gracious congratulation saved Nigeria
from violence. That good wish was very timely and saved
Nigeria’s democracy.
“There is no doubt that it set the tone for peace because the
situation would have been otherwise if he had remained
silent and allowed his supporters to interpret that silence
their own way.