President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara has showered praises on Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanlike gesture in accepting the result of the Saturday, March 28, 2015 general election.
President Ouattara made his feelings known when he visited President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock on Monday, April 20, 2015, saying that President Jonathan had averted a civil war.
President Ouattara recalled that in 2010, he won the presidential election in his country but the then incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat and held on to power, leading to a war that claimed 3,000 lives.
He said: “You know that about five years ago, Cote d’Ivoire had election and I won the election and the former president decided not to leave office.
“This brought the civil war and 3,000 people were killed. We were put in a hotel for protection by the United Nations for four and a half months. We were there without food because the hotel was guarded by the president’s men.
“It was only after four and a half months of imprisonment in that hotel that finally we were able to leave the hotel; after the former president quit and finally left office for me.
“I am saying this to stress that what happened in Nigeria is a lesson to all of us. Please accept my admiration.
“On May 29, there is going to be inauguration and handover to the president-elect, President Buhari.
“People are more important than power and Mr. President, my good friend, I am not surprised about what you did and I wanted to congratulate you and congratulate the Nigerian people.”
See photos from the visit below:
President Jonathan welcoming President Alassane Ouattara of Cote D'Ivoire to State House, Abuja, Mon. April 20. pic.twitter.com/ofqDOlOxb4
— Reuben Abati (@abati1990) April 20, 2015
President Jonathan & President Alassane Ouattara of Cote D'Ivoire addressing State House correspondents, April 20. pic.twitter.com/aM1QREDkkj
— Reuben Abati (@abati1990) April 20, 2015
