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Buhari pats Jonathan for being a gracious contestant
Nigeria's president-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari has expressed gratitude to incumbent Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the decision of the people of Nigeria in the 2015 presidential election.
In a Facebook post moments after Goodluck Jonathan reportedly called him by phone to concede and to congratulate him for a historic victory, Buhari said, “We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for being a gracious contestant and accepting the decision of the Nigerian people."
Buhari, a former military ruler of Africa's most populous nation, also thanked his supporters for supporting his cause but cautioned them against violence, particularly from molesting perceived opponents, saying “He or she is not with me, whoever does that.”
He said “Victory is for all Nigerians. Please be magnanimous in victory and shake the hand of those we contested against," acknowledging also that “The work starts today.”
Nigeria’s Independent Electoral Commission is expected to officially declare Buhari the winner of the polls after his massive win in what has become the first ever victory by an opposition candidate in Nigerian history.