Were it not for the intervention of certain people, the paper says, President Jonathan might have been swayed to challenge General Muhammadu Buhari's election victory.
“They were telling the president that a lot of options were still open, and that the game was not over,” one of our sources said. “They were doing all manners of analyses, and assuring the president that ultimately, he would triumph,” a source told the paper.
“At a point the president became confused and it was clear the forces opposed to the president’s decision to concede victory was gaining control. As some of them were talking to the president in the villa, others who were far away were calling the President on telephone. The president was in a dilemma.”
It was in this moment of uncertainty that the president called on Osita Chidoka, minister of aviation, to ask his opinion.
“Mr. President, I can tell you that by congratulating Buhari, you would have done the unthinkable and history will surely be kind to you,” the minister was quoted as saying.
Mohammed Adoke, Minister of Justice, also joined the discussion, and both men knelt before the president, it is reported, pleading with him to take the right decision as far as national interest was concerned.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala arrived and she joined the party of people in favor of concession.
Premium Times says the Special assistant to the president on Domestic Matters, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa also knelt before the president and said: "you need to congratulate Buhari now sir. I think you should leave this place on May 29 holding your head high.”
To recap, the people who impressed it upon the president to stand down were:
- Minister of Aviation - Osita Chidoka
- Mohammed Adoke - Minister of Justice
- Minister of Finance - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
- Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs - Waripamo-Owei Dudafa
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