Jonathan’s Loss Temporary Setback For PDP – Presidency

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) groans its loss at the recent presidential election, Special Adviser to the President, Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, yesterday urged party members not to lose hope, describing the outcome of the 2015 general election as a temporary setback.

Prof. Alkali, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said the defeat of PDP and it’s presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, should be seen as a transition period which should be used for self reflection to heal and re-strategise.

Alkali while appreciating all the groups and individuals that have contributed one way or the other to support President Jonathan during the election, asked them not to despair.

He added that the loss was only a bus-stop and not a terminus for the party, noting that Jonathan still remains the most critical political assets of the PDP and awaits the direction of the party.

He said “We should all see the outcome of the presidential election as temporary setback not a full-stop in a long sentence of the political history of this great country Nigeria”.

“It is conceivable that as a result of this unprecedented setback, our members and supporters may lose focus, hope and direction and even be tempted to engage in divisive activities, nonetheless, we should be more united than ever before as the task now is to join hands together to strengthen the party”.

Prof Alkali called on all the supporters of President Jonathan nationwide, especially the men and women that contributed to the campaigns and stood for the President in the just concluded presidential election, to remain calm and resolute as the country prepares for the May 29th handover to the incoming administration.

Responding to questions on the decision of Mr. President to concede to his opponent even when the entire result of the election was not announced, the Political Adviser said, “Our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has displayed and establish an exceptional legacy that will remain permanent not only in Nigeria but in the whole of Africa. The President’s actions to call and congratulate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari before the final results were announced shows that Dr. Jonathan is a man of his words and is leaving an indelible mark in the sands of time”.

The presidential aide further advised those promoting chaos and disaffections in the country to desist from it because according to him, Nigeria has shamed all doomsday Sayers.