Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State on Tuesday praised former President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the 2015 poll results in which President Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner.
The governor said Jonathan’s spirit of sportsmanship has been a big booster for democracy in Africa in recent time.
He spoke at a book launch titled: “Dear President Goodluck Jonathan,” authored by Bonaventure Phillips Melah, held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Part of the governor’s speech was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Abba Anwar, in which he also praised Jonathan for establishing Tsangaya schools for almajiris across northern states.
“Before the result of the 2015 presidential election was declared, we learnt you called and congratulated the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. We were shocked and we said you are a true Nigerian.
“During the US presidential election, it was around 2:am when I was watching the result; President Donald Trump was rejecting the results.
“A friend of mine said to me ‘Goodluck Jonathan must be an Angel.’ I asked ‘why?’ He said, ‘look, President Trump is rejecting election results.
“We salute you for that Sir. You did not make the name for yourself, but for Nigeria, Africa and other developing nations of the world. It was a booster for democracy in Africa,” Ganduje said.
The Kano governor said the establishment of Tsangaya schools in the north by the ex-president has helped in wiping away social problems from the region.
He said: “Almajiri issue has been a problem for us. The system was adulterated from its original position when pupils began to learn the Holy Qur’an with the issue of begging.
“During your time (Jonathan’s government) you decided to create Tsangaya schools.
“And it was during your time that the curriculum was widened and deepened, so as to produce more quality people with various types of skills to earn their living.
“We in Kano also modified the system, by establishing more Almajiri schools in the state. So we have to thank you for these important legacies,” Ganduje said.
