Former head of state, Yakubu Gowon says the peaceful conduct of March 28 presidential poll won by Muhammadu Buhari has silenced doomsayers who had predicted the breakup of Nigeria in 2015.
“No one will ever repeat that wild and arrogant prediction that Nigeria will go under; those doomsayers have been put to shame and Nigeria will grow from strength to strength,” Gowon told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos, Plate State.
He declared that those that made the prediction did not reckon with Nigeria’s ability to solve its problems.
“The nation has always had the mechanism to tackle its concerns and this election and its peaceful outcome have proved that a united and focused nation would always survive and move toward greatness.
“During the elections, I visited polling units in Asokoro, Karu, Nyanya, Maitama and Wuse; the people came early and, in many cases, waited for INEC officials that came late. I was touched by such commitment.
“I was also touched by the good spirit and camaraderie amongst the voters as they waited to vote; I was also happy that they were very friendly and did not allow their political differences to tamper with the fact that they all had one destiny,” he said.
Gowon also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for insisting on doing the right thing.
He also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for a quick call to congratulate the winner, an action he described as a “very soothing balm that ended all fears and anxieties.”
“The president’s gracious congratulation saved Nigeria from violence. That good wish was very timely and saved Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.
