International

Concede defeat if you lose, Jonathan tells Tanzanian candidates

Published

9 years ago

October 21, 2015

By Olumide Olaoluwa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday pleaded with whoever loses next Sunday’s presidential election in Tanzania to take a cue from what he did in Nigeria by promptly conceding defeat for peace and unity in that country.
Jonathan, who is Chair of the Commonwealth election observer mission to Tanzania, said any attempt to reject the will of voters can create chaos in the East African nation.
Jonathan said: “If you lose, accept defeat.”
He said he immediately conceded defeat after losing his re-election bid early this year because he did not want personal ambition to derail democracy in Nigeria.

“I was concerned about allowing my personal ambition to scuttle a democratic system I had helped to nurture,” Jonathan explained.
He said in any election there were winners and losers, adding that the presidential candidate who would lose on Sunday should gracefully concede defeat to avert a political crisis.
“Successful elections will depend on how each stakeholder plays his or her role to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and transparent electoral process…I’m confident Tanzanians will achieve this,” Dr Jonathan said.
He reminded all stakeholders to peacefully uphold democratic principles, adding that the Commonwealth “stands in solidarity with the people of Tanzania by supporting improvements being recorded in the electoral processes.”
Speaking further, Jonathan stated that the Commonwealth Observers Group would perform its role with impartiality, independence and transparency.

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