Former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, has said the peaceful conduct of March 28 presidential poll won by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari has silenced doomsayers who had predicted that Nigeria would break up in 2015.

“No one will ever repeat that wild and arrogant prediction that Nigeria will go under; those doomsayers have been put to shame and Nigeria will grow from strength to strength,’’ Gowon told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos, Plate State.

While recalling the prediction that the country would disintegrate in 2015, Gowon declared that those that made the prediction did not reckon with Nigeria’s ability to solve its problems.

“The nation has always had the mechanism to tackle its concerns and this election and its peaceful outcome have proved that a united and focused nation would always survive and move toward greatness,’’ he said.

The former head of state expressed happiness that the polls were adjudged free and fair by local and international observers, even as he commended the patience and resilience of the voters, who defied rain and the scorching sun to cast their votes.

“During the elections, I visited polling units in Asokoro, Karu, Nyanya, Maitama and Wuse; the people came early and, in many cases, waited for INEC officials that came late. I was touched by such commitment.

“I was also touched by the good spirit and camaraderie amongst the voters as they waited to vote; I was also happy that they were very friendly and did not allow their political differences to tamper with the fact that they all had one destiny,’’ he said.

Gowon also commended  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, especially the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, for insisting on doing the right thing, urging Nigerians to keep up that spirit, so that democratic governance would come of age.

He also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for a quick call to congratulate the winner, even as he described that step as  a “very soothing balm that ended all fears and anxieties.”

“The president’s gracious congratulation saved Nigeria from violence. That good wish was very timely and saved Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.