Ouattara hails Jonathan for averting ‘Gbagbo experience’ in Nigeria

President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire on Monday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for peacefully conceding defeat to his opponent, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the last presidential election.
According to him, Jonathan’s action has saved Nigeria from civil war, a situation the Ivoirians experienced in 2010.
He spoke with journalists after holding a closed-door meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Although Ouattara maintained that he was on a private visit to Aso Rock, the Ivoirian said that he had to commend his host and Nigerians on the successful conduct of the 2015 general election.
He said that Jonathan’s decision to quickly concede defeat and avoid bloodshed is a legacy for Nigeria and Africa, and a model to West Africa.
Recalling a similar situation in his home country when his predecessor refused to concede defeat to him after the presidential election, he said that the action resulted in a four-month civil war that killed 3,000 persons before he finally assumed office in April 2011.
Jonathan was Nigeria’s Acting President five years ago when he mobilised other West African leaders to forcefully oust Ouattara’s predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, who had refused to relinquish power after losing the presidential election.
Ouattara said that Jonathan’s historic gesture saved the country and West Africa of such chaos and tragedy, which should serve as a lesson to African leaders.
Expressing his admiration for Jonathan, the Ivoirian President stressed that his support and friendship towards him and Cote d’Ivoire remained appreciated.

He said: “I came here on a visit to see my friend and brother and to congratulate the Nigerian people on the conduct of the presidential election.
“On May 29, there is going to be inauguration and hand over to the President-elect, President Buhari.
“So, I wanted to tell you our appreciation over the leadership we have received from you during these years.
“You know that about five years ago, Cote d’Ivoire had elections and I won the election and the former president decided not to leave office. This brought the civil war and 3,000 people were killed.
“We were put in a hotel for protection by the United Nations for four and a half months. We were there without food because the hotel was guarded by the president’s men.
“It was only after four and a half months of imprisonment in that hotel that finally we were able to leave the hotel; after the former president quit and finally left office for me.
“I am saying this to stress that what happened in Nigeria is a lesson to all of us. Please accept my admiration.
“I think that avoiding violence, avoiding civil war when we have elections in Africa should be our utmost objective.
“People are more important than power and Mr. President, my good friend, I am not surprised about what you did and I wanted to congratulate you, congratulate the Nigerian people, and congratulate the President-elect.”