Jonathan Saved Nigeria From Chaos - Prof Duro Oni

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Professor Duro Oni, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, has said that former president, Goodluck Jonathan, saved the country from perceived crisis and chaos by accepting defeat and congratulating his opponent even before the election results were announced.

In an exclusive interview with Naij, Prof Oni, who was the Ogun state collating officer for the 28 March presidential election reiterated that Nigerians and the international community have rated the elections as being generally well-conducted.

He said that “the country also owes a debt of gratitude to the former President Jonathan for congratulating his opponent and saving the country from the brink of the perceived problems that were envisaged.”

Prof Oni recalled that “it was a nice and pleasant experience to serve as, first, the Ogun State collating officer for the Presidential Election on March 28 and secondly, as the Returning Officer for the Governorship election held on April 11, 2015. Essentially, our duties were as stipulated in the Guidelines provided by INEC for the elections and it was important to stick to the rules of engagement.

“We also had a good support team from the State Electoral Office. In carrying out the duties, one must thank the good people of Ogun State for the peaceful nature of the elections there.”

He advised politicians and their followers not to see elections as a do-or-die affair, adding that “it is also important to have credible people placed in charge of the elections who can carry out their duties and responsibilities honestly and honourably.”