KING EDAFE, Abuja
April 1, 2015 – The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) today congratulated the President-Elect General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on his election last Saturday.
In a separate congratulatory messages sent to journalists in Abuja, the two bodies also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for displaying true Christian quality and democratic character for conceding defeat even before final results were officially declared.
CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor saluted Nigerians for a peaceful election and called for “harmony between Christians and Muslims in their quest for a prosperous Nigeria.
While praying for a prosperous future for Nigeria, Oritsejafor also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for exhibiting good sportsmanship in conceding defeat to Buhari.
The Secretary of NCEF, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, in his congratulatory message said, “despite the enormous tension and apprehension that preceded the election, Nigerians have demonstrated political maturity that elections can be won and lost without recourse to violence or acrimony.”
While congratulating Buhari for his victory, NCEF wished him a successful tenure in office and joined all Nigerians and indeed the entire world to commend his act of statesmanship, quality Christian and democratic character by his peaceful concession of defeat.
“It is encouraging to observe that Nigeria is maturing democratically. Today, we celebrate a sitting President, who after conceding defeat at the polls can say, “I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word.” Mr. President, we are proud of you.
“The sterling Christian and democratic qualities aptly demonstrated by President Jonathan are in line with our objective that democracy must thrive and be firmly rooted in Nigeria. The fruit of democracy is a peaceful, just, fair, and equitable society. These are the pillars upon which we can build a prosperous nation. We shall continue to work to entrench these values in our nation.”
The organization also encouraged all politicians in the country to play politics according to Jonathan’s popular saying that “nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
