Meet the people who convinced Pres. Goodluck Jonathan to accept defeat

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President Goodluck Jonathan has received worldwide praise for conceding defeat to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.

However, it has been revealed that the President was convinced to make the move by some close associates.

According to Premium Times, Jonathan was almost coerced into resisting the outcome of the polls but for the intervention of the said associates.

Sources within the Presidency reportedly said that the President conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari after being convinced by Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka; Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke and the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa.

Chidoka was said to have paved the way for the decision while the other joined in while the Aviation Minister was discussing with Jonathan.

According to a presidential aide, Chidoka said.

“Mr. President, I can tell you that by congratulating Buhari, you would have done the unthinkable and history will surely be kind to you.”

The Justice Minister was said to have also pleaded with Jonathan to concede defeat.

“He (Adoke) quickly joined Osita (the aviation minister) in appealing to the President to ignore those advising him not to concede defeat. In fact, I saw Adoke and Osita kneeling before the president in deference and begging him to take the right decision in the interest of the country,” a witness said, according to Premium Times.

Okonjo-Iweala and Dudafa sealed the deal and the latter offered to put the call through to Buhari.

Jonathan made a congratulatory call to Buhari on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, after the election results were announced.

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