Obasanjo congratulates Buhari

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari over his victory in Nigeria’s Presidential elections.

Buhari emerged winner of the polls on Tuesday, March 31, after beating incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan by over 2 million votes.

Obasanjo in his congratulatory message urged Buhari to be magnanimous in victory.

The message reads:

"With so much harm already done to many national institutions including the military, which proudly nurtured you and me, you will have a lot to do on institution reform – education, healthcare, economy, security, infrastructure, power, youth employment, agri-business, oil and gas, external affairs, cohesiveness of our nation and ridding our land of corruption.”

“Your varied and wide experience will undoubtedly stand you in good stead. is blessed with men and women of goodwill, character and virtue across the board that you can mobilize to join hands with you in the reform, repairs and re-direction that will be imperative to put Nigeria back on the fast lane of good governance, unity, cohesiveness, development and progress.”

“For me, the totality of 2015 elections hold many lessons for our democracy and democratization process, which are both maturing. On this occasion, the system has been unnecessarily overheated before and particularly during the campaigns when emphasis was more on trivialities and hate, divisive, undignifying and disrespectful statements and comments rather than on pressing issues requiring attention.”

“I know that in victory, you will be magnanimous to start binding the wounds and bitterness occasioned by the campaign and the evil disciples.”

Obasanjo had earlier endorsed Buhari for the Presidency after severely criticizing Jonathan’s administration.