The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) commended President Goodluck Jonathan congratulating the president-elect after his victory at the poll.

MURIC’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola in a statement on Wednesday, said this singular gesture was highly patriotic move revealing the latent democratic value in the president.

According to it, this magnanimous action of President Jonathan has lifted Nigeria to a lofty height in the comity of nations.
He said the rest of Africa, in particular and the world in general will now begin to respect Nigeria as a nation with rich democratic values.
“We doff our hat to President Jonathan for seizing the initiative. He is our man of the moment,” it said.
It reminded the various political parties and Nigerians in general that President Jonathan had played the role of a responsible leader with the way he ended the 2015 presidential election by calling to congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari.
MURIC urged every Nigerian to emulate him by immediately sinking our differences, saying “let us rally behind the new leader to build a strong and prosperous Nigeria.

“There has been no victor in this election. Neither has anyone or any political party been vanquished. The real winner is Nigeria because she is going to remain one,” it added.

It congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari for this historical feat and lauded his determination, his iron will and his faith in hard work.
It also felicitated with the Nigerian electorate, party agents and Nigeria’s sole electoral body, INEC.
However, MURIC condemned the violent protest which led to the burning of INEC’s office in Port Harcourt and denounced the disruption of the collation process in Abuja by the representative of the ruling party.

“It was most despicable, malicious and preposterous. There are better ways of registering a protest without destroying public property or turning oneself into a laughing stock. All grievances must be channeled through the courts. Giving violent expression on the streets is barbaric and uncivilized,” it said.