'Jonathan's concession of defeat is 'un-African' - Governor says

dimeji akinloye

May 3, 2015 2:06 PM

He said the President’s move to concede victory in the March 28 Presidential election, even before the final result was announced, is an outstanding quality.

The Akwa Ibom state Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has urged African leaders to follow in the footsteps of President Goodluck Jonathan’s exemplary leadership.

He said the President’s move to concede victory in the March 28 Presidential election, even before the final result was announced is an outstanding quality, which promotes the spirit of true sportsmanship.

Akpabio made the statement on Friday, May 1, in Uyo during a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop of Second Peer Review of Nigeria for South-South region.

He said, “the world must know that President Goodluck Jonathan exhibited the spirit of a true sportsman different from the known attitude of African leaders, who always hold unto power even at the detriment of citizens.’’

Akpabio, represented by his deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, Akpabio explained that the African countries that are signatories to APRM are expected to undergo peer review and Nigeria had her first Peer Review in 2008.

The governor also urged African leaders to proffer solutions to problems affecting the continent, adding that Africa’s problems are unique and can only be solved by Africans.

“Nigeria was one of the first African countries to accede to the APRM in 2003,” he said.

Akpabio said, “Africa must come to terms that the problem with Africa is unique with Africa and can only be solved by Africans. Therefore we must rise to the demands of proffering solutions to our problems and foster the development of our continent.”

The governor explained that Nigeria was commended by international community for being able to sustain constitutional democracy beyond the second round for the first time in history.

dimeji akinloye