konknaijaboy | On 02, Apr 2015

ABUJA (Reuters) – Graciously conceding defeat is not something candidates in African elections have traditionally been very good at.

In a macho political culture that sees a routing at the ballot box as a source of shame, refusal to accept a result often leads to protracted battles in court, on the streets or in the worst cases a military crackdown.

So when Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan magnanimously threw in the towel to challenger Muhammadu Buhari after the latter’s stunning victory in the weekend’s presidential election, he joined a growing list of African leaders for whom humbly admitting the game is up has become a cause for pride.

“I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country,” a sombre Jonathan said in his concession speech. “I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General Muhammadu Buhari.”

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