Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has stated that since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, Goodluck Jonathan remains the only presidential candidate to have congratulated the winner of an election.
Sani made the remark on his verified Facebook page following the recent presidential election results in Ghana.
In contrast to the Nigerian political landscape, where post-election congratulatory gestures are rare, Ghana’s defeated vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia, publicly accepted his loss and congratulated opposition leader John Mahama as the new president-elect.
Sani reflected on the Nigerian context, noting that, unlike in Ghana, political opponents in Nigeria rarely acknowledge each other’s victories after elections, with the battle often continuing until the next poll.
He humorously added that waiting for a congratulatory phone call in Nigeria could lead to an endless wait.
He said, “Since our independence in 1960, the only presidential candidate who congratulated the winner was Goodluck Jonathan (I stand to be corrected). We no de congratulate each other after election na fight continue until another election. If you decide wait for phone call Congratulation, your battery go die.”
