Jubilation as Obasanjo, Sultan, others hail Buhari

Wild jubilation erupted across Nigeria on Tuesday following the victory of the All Progressives Congress candidate in the March 28 presidential election, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The 72-year-old Katsina-born former Head of State defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in an epic electoral battle, winning in 21 states of the federation while Jonathan won in 15 and the Federal Capital Territory.

From the North-East to the North-Central, North-West, South-South, South-East and South-West, the young, the old, male and female trooped out to celebrate a history-making political victory in the annals of the country.

The victory marked the first time political power at the centre would shift from the conservatives to the progressives in a country, whose politics is strewn along the pathways of ethnicity, religion and corruption.

A cross-section of prominent Nigerians has, however, described the victory of Buhari, who had failed on three consecutive attempts to clinch the presidency, as the dawn of a new order for Nigeria.

Prominent among those who reacted to Buhari’s victory, were his ardent critics such as a chieftain of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo; leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams; National Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria, Fredrick Fasehun, among others.

However, encomiums and congratulatory messages poured in from prominent Nigerian leaders, especially members of the APC, who described the victory as deserving.