on his victory in last Saturday’s presidential poll.
Babangida said Jonathan’s victory had put him in a good stead to further unite Nigeria, just as he admonished the president to assemble a good team to actualise his dream of a greater country.
The former Nigerian leader also sent congratulatory messages to Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau for fighting gallantly in the presidential election.
He said the generation yet unborn would accord Buhari, Ribadu and Shekarau “noble recognition for putting up highly spirited effort in helping to shape the twists and bends of our democracy, for the good of the country and to the glory of mankind.”
He also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts at giving Nigeria free and fair elections.
He urged the commission to deploy the lessons it learned during previous elections to make the next round of election, the governorship election and the remaining parts of National Assembly election, a good success.
General Babangida spoke against the background of acts of violence in some parts of the North, contending that Nigeria at the moment did not need what he described as uncivilised form of protests.
He said: “On Tuesday, 26 April, 2011, Nigerians would file out once again to elect their respective state governors and state assembly members. The remaining elections would afford INEC the opportunity to correct a few lapses here and there to ensure that the votes actually count.
“With experiences from other advanced democracies, we cannot have wholly perfect and flawless elections. What is important, and which should always guide our conduct, is the interest of the country and its over 150 million citizens.”
The statement by Babangida, issued by his spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, reads in part: “Let me congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, for his victory at the presidential election. His victory should be seen not only as a collective victory for the country's fledgling democracy, but also an opportunity to further cement the democratic foundation of the country.
"It is a victory that should afford us as a people to chart a new road map in repositioning the country and fully utilising her potential for the benefit of mankind.
"It is a victory that should once again provide a basis for appreciating the opportunities that abound in the country and exploiting same, for the overall good of the nation. The victory should afford President Goodluck Jonathan the opportunity to rally round his colleague-candidates at the elections, with the aim of building robust relationship among them for the interest of their supporters and the nation.”
Also, the United Kingdom government has congratulated President Jonathan on his election.
The congratulation came as Britain said it greatly valued its friendship with Nigeria and looked forward to working closely with President Jonathan in the coming years.
UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, in a reaction to the declaration of Jonathan as the winner of the presidential poll, however, condemned the violence that trailed the election, as well as the loss of life in the crisis.
He said the presidential election represented a significant step forward, not just for the country, but also for democracy in Africa.
The foreign secretary, in the statement, commended the INEC and its chairman for what he described as their crucial role in the process.
In another development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also congratulated President Jonathan and his running mate, Namadi Sambo, for their “richly deserved victory” in the presidential election.
It said President Jonathan deserved double congratulations, in view of his delivering on the promise of credible elections and for receiving the overwhelming mandate of Nigerians to preside over their affairs for the next four years.
The NLC, in a release jointly signed by its president, Abdulwaheed Omar and the acting secretary, Owei Lakemfa, described President Jonathan as a truly national leader, who was elected by votes across political, regional, religious, ideological cleavages or even party affiliation.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Watch Touching Video Of Lady Surprising Boyfriend Who’s An Okada Rider
Sports Minister, John Enoh Roots For Peseiro’s Return To Super Eagles
Just in: EFCC Withdraws Suit Against Yahaya Bello In Appeal Court Over Alleged Fr@ud
Federal Govt Suspends Dana Airline Indefinitely Over Safety Concerns