By Ben Agande & Levinus Nwabughiogu

President Allasane Quattara of Côte d’Ivoire, yesterday, said that by conceding defeat and congratulating General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), President Goodluck Jonathan had set an example for other African leaders.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Addressing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, the Ivorian President said by conceding defeat, Jonathan saved the most populous black nation from possible strife.

He recalled that the Civil War in his nation was because  former President, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to concede defeat at the polls.

He said he was in Abuja to congratulate Jonathan, the President-elect, Buhari and Nigerians on the successful general elections and appreciate the leadership Jonathan had provided for the sub-region over the period.

He said: “I wanted to tell you our appreciation over the leadership we have received from you during these years.

“You know that about five years ago, Côte d’Ivoire had elections and I won. The former president decided not to leave office.

“This brought the civil war. Three thousand people were killed and we were put at the hotel for protection by the United Nations for four and a half months.

“We were there without food because the hotel was guarded by the President.

“It was only after four and a half months of imprisonment in that hotel that we were finally able to leave the hotel after the former President quit and finally left office for me.

“I am saying this to let people know that what happened in Nigeria is a lesson to all of us.

“Avoiding violence and civil war, when we have elections in Africa, should be our utmost objective.”