Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, yesterday congratulated the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory in the country’s presidential election.

Babangida, in a statement he personally signed, said the incumbent and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan, lost the poll because he failed to meet the aspirations of the people. Titled: “Buhari deserves this victory,” Babangida said there are two lessons to be learnt from the outcome of the election.

He said the first was that an incumbent could lose if he fails to meet the aspirations of the people. The second lesson, he said, was that there is reward in perseverance and hard work as exhibited by Buhari, who has contested the country’s presidential election several times in the past. He said Buhari could be described as Nigeria’s Abraham Lincoln.

The statement by Babangida reads in full: “I have just finished watching the proceedings of the declaration of results of the March 28, 2015 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the emergence of my friend, professional colleague and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari as the President-elect. Let me, therefore, formally congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives’ Congress for this well-deserved victory.

“This victory to me conveys two significant statements on our political history and evolution. First; that incumbents can be defeated in any democratic process if the people’s aspirations are not fulfilled. Second, that there is good reward for perseverance and hard work. General Buhari has been very consistent in pursuing his political aspiration. In fact, he reminds me of President Abraham Lincoln of the American fame, who was very dogged in pursuing his political aspiration and enriched the contents of democracy in America.

“General Buhari lives true to his military calling by remaining very consistent, resilient and courageous right from 2003 till date. This enviable feat to me further enriches our democratic process and matures us into the top echelon of nations where democracy has taken firm root.

“Let me also congratulate other presidential candidates of the other political parties, especially Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for putting up a good fight in the elections. I wish to also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission, for conducting such a free, fair and transparent election despite all the initial hitches and challenges.

*Adapted from Newswatch Times. Photo shows Babangida