The Chairman of The Leadership Newspapers Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah has given insights into what transpired behind the scenes of the 2015 presidential elections
The Leadership CEO, Sam Nda-Isaiah speaking at the event
While speaking earlier today at The LEADERSHIP Awards themed “Democracy, Political Transition And The Challenge of Leadership in Africa” in Abuja, the Chairman of Leadership Newspapers Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah has given insights into what transpired behind the scenes of the 2015 presidential elections.
Nda-Isaiah revealed the moments when former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was also a contestant, called the winner and current President, Muhammadu Buhari to concede defeat even before final results were announced by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain further named Senator Ben Bruce, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, the then Director General of the Department of State Security, Ita Ekpenyong, former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka and a handful of others as persons who encouraged former President Jonathan to concede against the wishes of persons he described as “criminals who wanted Jonathan to rig the election no matter how many people would die as a result.”
He added that the former president’s singular action, made it easier for several state governors to concede defeat.
“Something else was happening on that day. President Goodluck Jonathan told then Senator-elect Ben Bruce and other party faithful who saw him that Monday morning that he would be conceding. Some of the party faithful didn’t understand what he meant because that had never happened before. He went on to say that if he didn’t concede, 10,000 Nigerians would die by the end of that day.
“Ben Bruce encouraged him. Others who played major roles in encouraging him included Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Ita Ekpenyong, the then DSS DG and Osita Chidoka, the then Minister of Aviation and a handful of others. These people had to battle the criminals who wanted Jonathan to rig the election no matter how many people would die as a result,” Nda-Isaiah said.
While congratulating the then Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega for “simply doing his job courageously”, Leadership Chairman said he has “set a standard for all his successors.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari was awarded with the 2016 'Leadership Person of Year' award alongside Goodluck Jonathan, and former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega.
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