A recording of the telephone call by President Goodluck Jonathan to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on March 31, congratulating him on his victory at the last Saturday’s presidential election hit the Internet on Thursday. The recording revealed what transpired between the two leaders.
President Jonathan had reportedly called Buhari hours before the official declaration of the presidential election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission that Buhari had won the March 28 presidential poll.
The audio of the conversation credited to one ENDS.ng @EveryNigerian was titled, “Historic congratulatory call from President Goodluck Jonathan to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on March 31, 2015.”
This gesture by President Jonathan had been praised in many quarters with Nigerians and world leaders hailing him for his demonstration of what they described as rare humility and spirit of sportsmanship.
Many said it was this gesture by Jonathan that put paid to the fear that violence might erupt across the country in the event that the result of the election was rejected by whoever was declared the loser by INEC.
According to the audio, the following conversation ensued between Jonathan and Buhari:
Jonathan’s aide: Your Excellency, Sir.
Buhari’s aide: Good evening.
Jonathan’s aide: Hope I’m speaking with General Buhari, sir.
Buhari’s aide: Yes.
Jonathan’s aide: Ok, President Goodluck Jonathan will like to speak with you, sir.
Buhari’s aide: Ok, ok, I’m connecting you, sir.
Jonathan: Your Excellency.
Buhari’s aide: Hold on …I’ll connect you, sir.
The phone rings for a moment.
Jonathan: Your Excellency.
Buhari’s aide: Hold on, sir.
Buhari: Your Excellency.
Jonathan: Your Excellency, how are you?
Buhari: I’m alright, thank you very much, Your Excellency.
Jonathan: (laughs) Congratulations.
Buhari: Thank you very much, your Excellency (laughs).
Jonathan: Yeah, so how are things?
Buhari: (laughs) Well…
Jonathan: So, you’d find time to come one of these days so that we can sort out how to plan the transition period.
Buhari: Thank you very much, your Excellency.
Jonathan: Congratulations.
Buhari: Thank you.
Jonathan: Ok.
Buhari: My respect, Your Excellency.
