Jonathan faults ‘negative’ celebration of Buhari’s victory

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday condemned what he called “negative triumphalism” which

he said had been put on display by some unnamed persons since March 31, when he lost the presidential election to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress.

He said the action flies in the face of his personal commitment to post-election peace, unity and national stability.

Jonathan made his position known in a statement made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Abati said as the nation prepared for Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections, Jonathan called on all Nigerians to remain peaceful, united and law-abiding.

He said while also condemning the undue harassment of public officials serving under him, Jonathan urged the victims to continue to discharge their responsibilities without fear.

He said, “The President condemns the very unseemly attempt by some politicians, groups and individuals to intimidate others, heat up the polity and cause public disorder and disaffection in the aftermath of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“President Jonathan is especially concerned about the negative triumphalism that has been put on display by certain elements since March 31, which flies in the face of his personal commitment to post-election peace, unity and national stability.

“The President calls on all those, who  through their actions and utterances, have been promoting divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic hatred in the country following the outcome of the March 28 elections to cease and desist from actions that detract from the true spirit and culture of democracy envisioned by patriotic men and women of goodwill in Nigeria.

“President Jonathan also condemns the undue harassment of public officials serving in his administration and urges all affected persons to continue to perform their lawful duties without fear.

“The President cautions that this should be a time for the healing of political wounds in the overriding interest of national unity, stability and progress, not a time for ethnic jingoism and the settling of scores.”