Ekweremadu tells Buhari what to do if he loses 2019 election

Ahead of the 2019 general
elections, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has called on President
Muhammadu Buhari to accept in good faith the outcome of the election should he
and his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, fail to win the
presidential contest.

 

Ekweremadu also urged the
president to borrow a leaf from his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, who not
only ensured free and fair election in 2015, but bowed out honourably after his
defeat in 2015.

He said this while speaking at
the parliament of the United Kingdom, UK, where he delivered a lecture titled,
‘African Politics: The Dynamics and Lessons.’

He recalled that, “Former
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan put Nigeria on the global map as a leading
democratic nation when he put in everything to ensure a free and fair election,
in which he not only lost the presidential poll as an incumbent, but also
willingly conceded defeat.

“In fact, he called the incumbent
President, Muhammadu Buhari, and congratulated him even before the announcement
of the final results. In addition, neither former President Jonathan nor the
PDP challenged the outcome of the election in court.

“Therefore, to whom much is
given, much is also expected. The onus is now on President Buhari to likewise
provide a level-playing ground and show uncommon statesmanship if he and his
party lose the 2019 presidential election. That way, Africa’s biggest democracy
will further entrench the culture of peaceful and smooth transfer of power from
a ruling party to the opposition in both Nigeria and Africa.”

He further warned that, “Any
attempt to manipulate the 2019 elections to the advantage of self or party will
not augur well for peace and democracy not only in Nigeria, but the entire
continent”.

“Important too, in the present
age of technology, I will like to see the countries of Africa deploying the
latest technology in voter registration, vote counting, and announcement of
results.