As the 2019 general election draws closer, a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon on Tuesday appealed to politicians across parties contesting key political offices to in the interest of National unity and cohesion accept the result of the forthcoming elections in good faith as the wishes of the people.
Particularly, Gowon urged the leading presidential contestants on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari and that of the leading opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to prepare to accept the eventual result of the forthcoming presidential poll for the country to continue to move forward peacefully.
The former Head of State made the appeal in Ibadan while responding to questions from journalists after the opening of an exhibition in honour of an Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Oladipo Akinkugbe, held at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The event organised to flag off week-long activities for the tripartite celebration of Akinkugbeโs 60th years anniversary as a doctor of medicine; 50th years as a professor of medicine, 85th birthday and retirement from public service.
The event was attended by the Chairman, Board of Management of UCH, Alhaji Ibrahim Shettima; Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge; Wife of the former head of state, Mrs Victoria Gowon, the celebrant, Prof Akinkugbe and his wife Prof Sade Akinkugbe, former Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof Abiodun Ilesanmi among others.
Gowon, who ruled from 1966 to 1975, described Akinkugbe as his longtime friend and lecturer to his wife when she was in the school of nursing at UCH, noting that their friendship dated back to 1957 when they met in the United Kingdom.
He enjoined the political gladiators to imbibe the same spirit displayed by the former President Goodluck Jonathan in conceding defeat after the 2015 presidential poll, in the interest of the unity and peace of the nation.
Gowon said, โWhat happened last time (2015), if you remember, there was so much tension and the tension was so high that if things had gone wrong, Nigeria would be on fire. Then, as a result, (former) President Jonathan agreed at the early stage to say he accepted the results and congratulated Gen Buhari. Now, this is the way.
โI was in Ethiopia on African Union (AU) mission. The feeling before what happened was tension, anxiety, and worry by all in all African states. When the result was announced, I was just leaving Ethiopia to come back to Nigeria; come and see the joy in the people of Africa at that meeting.
โSo, that was the sort of things I will really say we should have so that we can have a peaceful election that is credible, peaceful and people should accept the results of the election for the sake of Nigeria.
โWhere things go wrong, try to improve for the next time. It is my hope and prayer that things will go well. I hope all of you will play your parts to ensure a peaceful election. If you make your own contributions that way, then we will be well.
โI have come to see what Prof Akinkugbe has achieved. He deserves all the encomiums as an emeritus professor. He has done a lot and has left a lot for the future generations. I hope all of you will give credence to his achievements, and I hope many others will follow his example. This is what I will say that all of you must do your best in whatever you are doing to promote the good of your country; make your suggestions to make things good and better.โ
The Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof Alonge, in his remarks, noted that Akinkugbe practised his trade directly and indirectly for over four decades, adding that the UCH โrevels in your achievement and felicitate with you today as you finally hang your companion โ the stethoscope.โ
In his remark entitled, โCome and let us celebrate our medical icon togetherโ, the UCH boss recounted Akinkugbeโs efforts during his tenure as the chairman of the institution Board of Management between 2000 and 2003, to include โchannelling the path to tow and the hospital has not lost focus ever since. His candid, frank and sometimes seemingly unpleasant counsel cannot be discarded even if you disagree with his style.โ
