We’re the heroes of Jonathan’s concession of defeat, says Adoke

A former Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Mohammed Adoke , on Wednesday , said he and three other former top government officials were the heroes of the decision of former President Goodluck Jonathan to concede defeat in the 2015 presidential election .
He said the four of them ensured that Jonathan took that decision to call President Muhammadu Buhari and concede defeat despite pressure from those he described as hawks within the administration .

Adoke who is currently out of the country made the clarification in a text message he sent to our correspondent.

He said he and former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala ; former Minister of Aviation , Osita Chidoka; and former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs , Waripamowei Dudafa , were the heroes of Jonathan ’ s decision .

The former minister said he would address the issue and others adequately in his soon -to- be released book , “ The Burden of Service . ”

Adoke said, “My forthcoming book will address the issue most comprehensively .

“As a patriot , I could not have advised the President not to concede defeat .

“Okonjo – Iweala , Chidoka, myself and Dudafa are the real heroes of that historic concession .

“We ensured that despite pressures from the hawks within the administration , the President concede defeat by calling President Buhari as at the time he did . ”

Jonathan had in his book , “ My Transition Hours , ” presented to the public in Abuja on Tuesday mentioned the four government officials in his narrative of the events that led to his decision to concede defeat .

Jonathan wrote , “I was in my living room with some ministers , aides and friends. Among them were the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/ Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr . Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala , Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Mohammed Bello Adoke , SAN , the Honourable Minister of Aviation , Mr . Osita Chidoka and Waripamowei Dudafa , my Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs .

“They were recommending sundry alternatives , but I was quiet in the midst of their discussion . I hugged my thoughts , figuring out how to do that which was best for the country . My personal interest was receding rapidly and the interest of Nigeria looming large .

“I excused myself and left the sitting room . I walked into my study . Even here , my mantra was a strong circle around me, supporting and comforting me . Let the country survive . Let democracy survive . My political ambition is not worth people being ‘ soaked in blood ’ .

“More reports flowed in and I could not wait anymore . The announcement of the final result could take issues out of all our hands . It was time for me to take action and bring peace to the nation. I felt I was destined by God at that point in time to inject the peace serum and douse the palpable tension in the country .

“I reached for the telephone and placed a call through the State House operators at about 4 : 45 pm . A peace I had never felt since my political sojourn , descended on me. It showed me where I had been in the past 16 years and where I was then. I smiled at the thought of what I was about to do .

“I waited calmly for the person at the other end of my call to answer . Buhari: “Hello Your Excellency !” Me: Your Excellency , how are you ?” Buhari: “I am alright, Your Excellency ” Me: “Congratulations !” Buhari : “ Thank you very much Your Excellency …”

“For several seconds the line was seized by the loudest silence I have ever known . Then we had a brief discussion . I could sense his relief too . He knew what could have been. Here is a man who had contested three times and lost . Maybe my gesture humbled him against his expectations because he thanked me and we talked about the handing over processes . “

Download Edujandon.com News App QR-Code

Edujandon.com - 24/7 News Upda

Developer: Edujandon Enterprises

Price: Free