I'll Continue Holding Jonathan In High Esteem - Buhari Again Praises GEJ For 2015

Posted by Odinaka on Fri 19th Oct, 2018 - tori.ng

President Buhari has applauded the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, saying that he would continue to hold the former president in high esteem.

Buhari and Jonathan

President Muhammadu Buhari has again, praised his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, for peacefully handing over in 2015.

In 2015, Buhari became the first opposition candidate in Nigeria to win a presidential election after defeating Jonathan, and since then, Buhari has repeatedly commended Jonathan for peacefully handing over.

The president reiterated his stance on Thursday night when he hosted members of the Kannywood entertainment industry to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari, who recalled his political struggles since 2003 when he made his first attempt to clinch the presidential seat, lauded Jonathan for accepting defeat in the 2015 general elections.

“I’ll continue to hold former president Jonathan in high esteem as a result of that singular act.

“He (Jonathan) was in power as Deputy Governor, Governor (Bayelsa), Vice-President and President, all for about 10 years and he voluntarily accepted defeat and surrendered power to me," he said.

The president also reassured that the brutal activities of the Boko Haram sect would soon become history, adding that the federal government would not allow any group hiding under religion to unleash terror on innocent citizens.

Buhari, who spoke in local language, said: “It’s totally wrong for any believer in God to kill innocent people either in the Mosque, Church or the market place.

“You can’t be shouting Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great), Allahu Akbar, and killing innocent citizens and destroying properties all in the name of God.

“It is either you don’t know what you are saying or you don’t even believe in the existence of God Almighty. God has nothing to do with injustice.

“So, now we are confronting them and by the grace of God we will destroy them.’’

The president enjoined members of the Kannywood to use their respective talents in promoting the culture of peaceful co-existence and unity among the diverse socio-political groups in the country.