Nigeria Content Online

President Goodluck
Jonathan has directed all security agencies in the country to remain on
full alert, especially in identified flashpoints across the country, to
thwart any further attempt to breach the peace of the country.

The President, who
is currently on a seven-day working retreat at the Obudu mountain
resort, also said he is determined to move Nigeria further along the
path of democratic consolidation in the next four years to build on the
gains of the 2011 general election.

Some states of the
federation, especially in the northern parts of the country, erupted
into violence after the presidential elections won by Mr Jonathan.

Although there is
no official figure for the number of casualties, it is believed that
hundreds of people were killed and properties worth millions of naira
must were destroyed in the riots.

States like Borno
and Kaduna have also witnessed frequent deadly detonation of bombs by
suspected members of the Boko Haram group, which had claimed
responsibility for some attacks on government officials in recent
months.

The spokesperson
for the President, Ima Niboro, said yesterday that the president
thanked all political stakeholders and Nigerians for the success of the
just concluded election and reiterated that he is “committed to working
with all stakeholders to address any observed weaknesses which persist
in the country’s electoral system”.

Mr. Jonathan has
also urged winners in the elections to be magnanimous in victory and to
commit themselves to good governance for all their constituents without
discrimination. He urged them not to engage their predecessors in
“unnecessary battles, which may turn out as counterproductive”.

He also sympathised
with those who lost elections and advised them to gallantly concede
defeat and congratulate the victors. He advised them to refrain from
taking laws into their own hands but to “take the legal route where
they feel dissatisfied with the outcome of the process”.

Appreciation to all

With the 2011
general elections all but concluded, except for the supplementary
elections scheduled to hold in parts of Imo State on Friday, Mr. Niboro
said the President thanks all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have
contributed to the delivery of the free, fair and credible elections
promised by his administration.

“He expressed appreciation to the Chairman, commissioners, permanent
and ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), especially members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
some of whom sadly lost their lives in patriotic service to the
country, the national security services, local and international
observer groups as well as millions of Nigerians who trooped out thrice
in the month of April to peacefully vote for leaders of their choice,”
Mr Niboro said.