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| President Buhari and President Jonathan before the elections |
Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan, the immediate past President of Nigeria, has been awarded
the African Sun Times’ International Person of the Year 2015 for his role in
ensuring a peaceful transition of power in the March 28 Presidential election
in Nigeria.
According
to the organizers, the award was given to Jonathan for conceding defeat to
current President Muhammadu Buhari and thereby preventing widespread violence
that had been predicted.
"The award was given to Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan who shocked the whole world by swiftly calling current Nigerian
President Muhammadu Buhari and conceding his defeat in the March 29 Nigerian
presidential election, thereby stopping the predictions of violent bloodshed in
Nigeria, and keeping his words that he would not allow the blood of a Nigerian
to be shed to further his political ambitions,” the publication said.
The award
citation added: “President Jonathan must be applauded for creating a solid
foundation for the growth of democracy in Africa. The world has started to
recognise President Jonathan’s courageous act.”
President
Jonathan’s decision was widely hailed around the world and was seen as being
crucial in preventing violence that would have erupted following his defeat at
the polls.
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