The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) on Wednesday congratulated the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on his election.
The two religious organisations in their separate congratulatory messages e-mailed to journalists in Abuja, also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for displaying quality Christian and democratic character and concessioning of defeat at the elections.
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in his message to Buhari also saluted Nigerians for a peaceful election and called for “harmony between Christians and Muslims in their quest for a prosperous Nigeria.”
While praying for a prosperous future for Nigeria, Oritsejafor also praised President Jonathan for exhibiting good sportsmanship in conceding defeat to Buhari.
The Secretary of NCEF, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, in a message said: “Despite the enormous tension and apprehension that preceded the election, Nigerians have demonstrated political maturity that elections can be won and lost without recourse to violence or acrimony.”
He congratulated Buhari on his victory at the elections, wishing him a successful tenure in office and “joined all Nigerians and indeed the entire world to commend his act of statesmanship, quality Christian and democratic character by his peaceful concession of defeat.”
Emmanuel said: “It is encouraging to observe that Nigeria is maturing democratically. Today, we celebrate a sitting president, who after conceding defeat at the polls can say, ‘I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word’. Mr. President, we are proud of you.
“The sterling Christian and democratic qualities aptly demonstrated by President Jonathan are in line with our objective that democracy must thrive and be firmly rooted in Nigeria.
“The fruit of democracy is a peaceful, just, fair, and equitable society. These are the pillars upon which we can build a prosperous nation. We shall continue to work to entrench these values in our nation.”
The body also encouraged all politicians in the country to play politics according to the admonition of Jonathan that “nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
