President Allasane Quattara of Côte d’Ivoire yesterday applauded President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election.
According to him, unlike former President Laurent Gbagbo who maintained a sit-tight attitude to power, the step taken by Jonathan had saved the most populous black nation from a violent crisis that would have threatened the unity of the country.
Addressing journalists after meeting with Jonathan behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, the Ivorian leader recounted the civil war in his country which broke out following the refusal of that country’s former President, Laurent Gbagbo, to concede defeat.
Quattara noted that by this act of statesmanship, President Jonathan had set an example for the rest of West Africa to follow.
He also said he was in Abuja to congratulate President Jonathan, President-elect Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and the people of Nigeria on the successful general elections as well as to appreciate the leadership Jonathan had provided for the sub region over the period.
Turning to President Jonathan who was present at the press briefing, Quattara said, “And so, I wanted to show you our appreciation over the leadership we have received from you during these years. You know that about five years ago, Côte d’Ivoire had elections and I won the election and the former president decided not to leave office.
“This brought the civil war. Over 3,000 people were killed and we were put at the hotel for protection by the United Nations for four and a half months. We were there without food because the hotel was guarded by the president.
“It was only after four and a half months of imprisonment in that hotel that, finally, we were able to leave the hotel after the former president quit and finally left office for me. I am saying this to say that what happened in Nigeria is a lesson to all of us, and please accept my admiration.
“I think that avoiding violence, avoiding civil war when we have elections in Africa, should be our utmost objective. People are more important than power, and Mr President, my good friend, I am not surprised about what you did and I want to congratulate you, congratulate the Nigerian people and congratulate the president-elect on this election in Nigeria.”
Noting that the Nigerian example is a legacy for African countries, the Ivorian leader recalled how Jonathan had been helpful to them at the ECOWAS.
He said, “I would like to also say that for two years, I was chairman of ECOWAS after you and we had to deal with very difficult issues like the wars in Mali, the terrorist infestation in Northern Nigeria, the problem in Guinea Bissau, the problems in Togo.
“You were always present for us; you are a West African before being a Nigerian and we thank you for what you did for West Africa. And we also were together to set up the partnership agreement with the European Union and only West Africa has been able to do this.
“My brother, you have shown support to me during the difficult years I went through. You have shown friendship to me all these years and so I want to thank you,” Quattara told Jonathan. (Leadership)
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