Would Buhari Accept Defeat? How Jonathan Conceded Defeat In 2015

Would President Muhammadu Buhari concede defeat defeat if beaten at today’s presidential polls? Many Nigerians expect him to concede defeat like his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan if he is defeated in today’s presidential poll.

It will be recalled that the president had after the Katsina APC presidential rally told a foreign reporter that nobody could unseat him.

The interviewer had asked the President, “This is a vibrant democracy. You came in, unseating the incumbent. Are you worried the same could happen to you?”

To this, Buhari responded, “No. Nobody would unseat me.”

He added, “I am ready to take this country forward for the next four years.”

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a ruling party lost power to an opposition party in 2015. Then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Party in an election that generated unprecedented tension across the country.

Buhari polled a total of 15, 424, 921 as against Jonathan’s 12, 853, 162.

But there was high tension as the vote counts pointed towards a defeat of the incumbent. A drama ensued at INEC collation Centre in Abuja where Attahiru Jega, Chairman of INEC was the Chief Presiding Officer.

A staunch ally of the president, Godsday Orubebe, got into a heated argument with the INEC Chairman on live television that caused temporary halt to the collation. It went on for so long and many thought the Jonathan Administration was going to stop the process from becoming conclusive.

Then, there was an intervention and President Jonathan at exactly 4:45pm called Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him.

This is the exact conversation between the two:

Buhari: “Hello Your Excellency”

Me: “Your Excellency how are you?”

Buhari: “I am alright Your Excellency”

Me: “Congratulations”

Buhari: “Thank you very much your Excellency…”

After conceding defeat Goodluck Jonathan addressed the nation thus:

“Fellow Nigerians,

“I thank you all for turning out en-masse for the March 28 General Elections.

“I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.

“Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress.

“As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else.

I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going through the process of the March 28th General Elections with the commendable enthusiasm and commitment that was demonstrated nationwide.

“I also commend the Security Services for their role in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence-free.

“To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your support. Today, the PDP should be celebrating rather than mourning. We have established a legacy of democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth and free and fair elections.

“For the past 16 years, we have steered the country away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our people the realities of economic development and social transformation.

“Through patriotism and diligence, we have built the biggest and most patriotic party in Nigerian history. We must stand together as a party and look to the future with renewed optimism.

I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country and assure you that I will continue to do my best at the helm of national affairs until the end of my tenure.

I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General Muhammadu Buhari.

May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I thank you all.”

The news of the telephone conversation brought immediate relief to a tensed polity, and many hailed Jonathan for conceding defeat.

But former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) on November 21, 2018 disclosed that himself, the ex-Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the ex-Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka and the former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to the ex-President, Waripamo Owei-Dudafa, prevailed on Jonathan to accept defeat.

But would history repeat itself? This question would be answered expectedly by Monday.