Gowon urges Buhari, Atiku, others to get ready to accept 2019 polls’ results

FORMER Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon yesterday appealed to politicians across parties contesting key political offices to, in the interest of national unity and cohesion, get ready to accept the result of the 2019 elections in good faith.

Particularly, Gowon urged the leading presidential contestants on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari and that of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to prepare to accept the eventual result of the forthcoming presidential poll for the country to move forward peacefully.

The former Head of State spoke while responding to questions from reporters after the opening of an exhibition in honour of an Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Oladipo Akinkugbe, at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The event was organised to flag off week-long activities for the celebration of Akinkugbe’s 60th years’ anniversary as a doctor of medicine; 50th years as a professor, 85th birthday and retirement from public service.

The event was attended by Chairman, Board of Management of UCH, Alhaji Ibrahim Shettima; the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Temitope Alonge; Gowon’s wife Mrs. Victoria Gowon, Akinkugbe and his wife, Prof. Sade, former UCH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Abiodun Ilesanmi among others.

Gowon, who ruled from 1966 to 1975, described Akinkugbe as his longtime friend and lecturer to his wife when she was in the school of nursing at UCH.

He noted that their friendship dated back to 1957, when they met in the United Kingdom.

He enjoined the political gladiators to imbibe the same spirit displayed by the former President Goodluck Jonathan in conceding defeat after the 2015 presidential poll, in the interest of the unity and peace.

Gowon said: “What happened last time (2015), if you remember, there was so much tension and the tension was so high that if things had gone wrong, Nigeria would be on fire. Then, as a result, (former) President Jonathan agreed at the early stage to say he accepted the results and congratulated Gen. Buhari. Now, this is the way.

“I was in Ethiopia on African Union (AU) mission. The feeling before what happened was tension, anxiety, and worry by all in African states. When the result was announced, I was just leaving Ethiopia to come back to Nigeria; come and see the joy in the people of Africa at that meeting.

“So, that was the sort of things I will really say we should have so that we can have a peaceful election that is credible, peaceful and people should accept the results of the election for the sake of Nigeria.

“Where things go wrong, try to improve for the next time. It is my hope and prayer that things will go well. I hope all of you will play your parts to ensure a peaceful election.  If you make your own contributions that way, then we will be well.”