Former military president hails Buhari's determination

dimeji akinloye

April 1, 2015 10:06 PM

Babangida also commended the statesmanship exhibited by President Goodluck Jonathan for not only conceding defeat but personally calling to congratulate Buhari.

Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has congratulated President- elect, Muhammadu Buhari for his electoral victory, describing it as the fruit of determination and perseverance.

Babangida, who stated this on Wednesday, April 1, in Minna while reacting to the outcome of the Saturday presidential polls, said Buhari surmounted all challenges to emerge the nation’s new president after three previous attempts.

"I think it is a triumph for democracy, triumph for doggedness, perseverance and a belief in a course which the General has exhibited all along.

"He contested this election three, four times; he never gave up. He continued to have faith and continued to believe that he has something to offer to this country.

"God in His infinite wisdom has made that belief to happen. So, I think it is a credit for Democracy," he said.

He also commended the statesmanship exhibited by President Goodluck Jonathan for not only conceding defeat but personally calling to congratulate Buhari.

"I want to commend Goodluck Jonathan for the most able way he handle the situation. It shows he was magnanimous; it had never happened.

"This is triumph for democracy, triumph for common sense and triumph for politics.

"For Muhammadu Buhari, of course, he is not a new person in this country; he was once a military Head of State and now democratically elected president.

“I know that with the support of Nigerians and his vast experience, I think he can make a good president," he added.

“The former military president said that Buhari would be supported by the various advisory bodies to take concrete steps in the nation's development.

dimeji akinloye