President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday canvassed the support of world leaders and international institutions for the incoming administration of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).
Jonathan, who is already in the twlight of his administration with just over a month to go,
also charged all Nigerians to join hands to make Buhari succeed in leading the country to greater heights.
Spokesman to the President, Mr. Reuben Abati, in a statement on Thursday, said the president made the call when he had separate audiences with the new Ambassadors of France, Senegal and Ethiopia.
Jonathan, who also met with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, asked Nigerians to join hands with the incoming administration in the task of moving Nigeriaforward to greater peace, security and progress.
On his highly praised act of conceding defeat in the presidential election , Jonathan told the new ambassadors he acted out of his abiding conviction that the unity, well-being and progress of Nigeria must supersede all personal ambitions.
“Democracy has to be nurtured to grow. Strong democratic institutions are the backbone and future of our democracy. They must be protected and nurtured. As for me, as a matter of principle, it is always the nation first.
“You need to have a nation before you can have an ambition. It should always be the nation first. You don’t have to scuttle national progress for personal ambition.
“Since I assumed duty, I have been involved in quelling political crises in some African countries and I know what they passed through and what some are still going through. If you scuttle a system for personal ambition, it becomes a collective tragedy,” the president said.
Speaking with the new French ambassador, Mr. Denis Guaer, Jonathan called on France to extend the support and assistance it gave to his administration to Buhari’s government.
“President Francois Hollande was our guest in Nigeria during the celebration of Nigeria’s centenary. He has been very supportive of the country in the fight against terrorism.
“I expect that the same warmth and goodwill will be extended to the incoming government. I expect that France will continue to work with the new administration, especially on issues of terrorism.
“The United Nations has been supportive as well. Our troops, supported by regional forces, have done very well in fighting the terrorists in recent times. What we need now is support to help our people get back their lives,” the president added.
The ambassadors commended Jonathan for his humility, patriotism and courage in safeguarding the democratic process in Nigeria and Africa.
“Nigeria is not only an economic power in the world today, but also a great democratic example. And it is all by your effort, Mr. President. The last elections and your response was truly a great achievement and you will always be remembered for it,” the French ambassador said.
Guaer; the new Senegalese Ambassador, Mr. Baboucar Sambe; and the new Ambassador of Ethiopia, Samia Zekaria Gutu, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to President Jonathan, also assured him that they would do their best to strengthen relations between Nigeria and their home countries during their tenure.
Jonathan also held a closed-door meeting with security chiefs.
Reports indicate that Jonathan’s meeting with the security chiefs centred on effecting smooth transition of power to the incoming APC administration.
The meeting, which was presided over by the president, was attended by all the service chiefs, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ministers of Police Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Interior, Inspector General of Police (IG), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
