By Henry Umoru

ABUJA – THE thirty-six state governors under the aegis, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Tuesday, urged the President-elect, President Goodluck Jonathan to be magnanimous in victory, just as they congratulated him following his victory at last Saturday’s election.

The governors also called on the Presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and other contestants to join the president-elect in the developmental challenges facing Nigeria.

In a statement, Tuesday,  NGF said, ‘’for us in the NGF, there is no winner and no vanquished in this contest. The ultimate winners are the Nigerian people who trooped out in their millions to enthrone a leader of their choice, in an atmosphere devoid of violence, intimidation and manipulation.

‘’The, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF hereby congratulates the President Goodluck Jonathan on winning Saturday’s presidential election.

‘’The NGF is especially elated that a winner has emerged. This election is historic in the sense that it is one of the freest and most keenly contested since our country’s return to democracy 12 years ago.

‘’While we congratulate the winner and urge the president-elect to be magnanimous in victory, we kindly urge the other contestants to be gallant and gracious in defeat. We also plead that all the contestants join the president-elect in the development challenges facing our great country.’’

While promising the president-elect of their absolute loyalty and support in the implementation of his campaign promises to the electorate, the governors urged all Nigerians to do the same, adding, ‘’finally, as we look forward to the next election, we wish all Nigerians a substantially better deal with the gradual emergence of a new set of leaders at both the federal and state levels.’’