Jonathan stops PDP ’s bid to contest
Buhari ’s victory
April 3 , 2015
 Written by Yusuf Alli , Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan may have prevailed on
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) not to challenge
President - elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’ s victory in
last Saturday ’ s election .
Instead of planning a case for the Presidential
Election Petitions Tribunal, the Presidency will raise a
Transition Committee on Tuesday , a source told The
Nation yesterday .
Vice President - elect Prof . Yemi Osinbajo is likely to
head the All Progressives Congress ( APC) team
which will join the committee ahead of the May 29
transition .
Ministers have started preparing their handover
notes , it was also learnt .
It was gathered that although some PDP stalwarts
wanted Buhari’ s victory challenged at the tribunal ,
the President thought otherwise.
The party stalwarts , it was said , believe that some
irregularities in some states are strong enough to
upturn the final results of the election , which was
hailed at home and abroad as substantially credible.
Jonathan , it was learnt , said it made no sense —
contesting Buhari ’ s victory — after he had conceded
defeat .
It was learnt that the PDP leaders referred to the
electoral scenario in Ekiti where the All Progressives
Congress ( APC) went to tribunal despite the
acceptance of defeat by ex - Governor Kayode Fayemi .
The President , however , stood his ground that he
would rather stand by his statesmanship attitude than
going to tribunal .
A source , who spoke in confidence , said : “ The
President has prevailed on PDP to drop plans to go
to tribunal against Buhari . He said he wants his word
to be his bond , having been applauded by the
international community.
“ At a point, Jonathan said ‘ I don’ t believe in post -
election petition at tribunal because it distracts the
incoming administration ’ .
“ He also said Nigeria must emulate other nations
where once the presidential poll is lost and won , the
new government must not be distracted with election
petitions .
“ He told party leaders that he was not interested in
going to the tribunal . It is now left for PDP leaders to
heed his advice .
“ So as at Thursday , the government ’ s position is that
the PDP should not go to tribunal . ”
Stating the PDP ’ s position on the elections in a
statement yesterday , Chairman Adamu Mu ’ azu ,
said : “ We have received reports of serious
irregularities that characterized the conduct of the
election and we shall channel our protests to the
appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect
for the rule of law and democratic ethos . ”
He did not say whether the party would go to the
tribunal but added: “ What is paramount to us is the
survival of our democracy , the unity , peace and
progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all
our people . Nigeria is bigger than any political party ,
individual or group and her overall interest must be
our priority at all times . ”
The President in 2010 at the 15 th summit of the
African Union (AU ) in Kampala , Uganda described
post - election litigation as a major distraction to
governance .
Jonathan said : “ It is inconvenient to already be in
office and be thinking about election litigation .
“ The essence of the immunity clause in the
constitution is that if a president or a governor takes
an oath of office , he should sit down and concentrate
on the job and when he leaves office , he could be
prosecuted for any offence .
“ But because of the way we conduct our elections ,
the president who sits in office is still battling and
being distracted with election issues , and it affects
us . ”
The transition committee is likely to be constituted
next week .
Another source added: “ The Presidency is working on
a seamless transition from Jonathan ’ s administration
to Buhari’ s . The details are being worked out . ”
“ I think by next week , the picture of the transition
committee will emerge. The government is working
early on the transition because it involves a lot of
work .
“ The APC team will have to collaborate with the
committee and ask questions if there are grey areas. ”
Meanwhile , Ministers have started compiling their
handover notes , which will be part of the integral
aspect of the report of the transition committee .

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/jonathan-stops-pdps-bid-to-contest-buharis-victory/

This indeed is commendable. I like GEJ's new approach. Focus more on building democratic structures and promoting National and possibly PAN African unity as against battling a new government that is already welcomed by the populace and the international community.

u try

Good....men alot of folks will lose their jobs ..While others will be gainfully employed..life na turn by turn

What will it profit GEJ to distract GMB after being distracted and labelled clueless. I'm sure he will let the sleeping dog lye. That shows he truely put the interest of Nigerians in the front roll. I doff my hat for GEJ.