FORMER presidential aspirant, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Friday congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for defeating ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to win the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Babangida, who personally signed a statement, urged Jonathan to be magnanimous in victory.

The statement reads: "I, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR wish to congratulate President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for his landslide victory at yesterday’s presidential primaries of our great party, the the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

"His victory at the primaries is not only personal but to all members of our great party; to lovers of peace, unity and progress; and to all those who believe in democracy and Nigeria.

"I therefore urge him to be magnanimous in victory and carry along with him those who lost at yesterday’s event. This is the only way we can bury the intra-party differences and bitterness that preceded the primaries.

"Special congratulations to former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for putting up a gallant fight and braving all the odds to make an impressive showing at the primaries. History will always give him a place of pride for his tireless efforts to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.

"My admiration also goes to the woman of substance and courage, who never gives up –Mrs Sarah Jibril- who has since 1993 sought every opportunity to offer her services as the President of this country.

"Even though she has not succeeded, history will one day say this is the woman who saw tomorrow when eventually Nigeria elects a woman President.’’

"The PDP Presidential Primaries have come and gone and I wish to call on all party members to put behind the struggles and bitterness of the past. This is time for fence mending so that we can achieve greater victory for the party.

"I particularly call on the party leadership at the national, state and local government levels to woo back all those who left the party as a result of their bitter experiences over the conduct of the last primaries.

"Their complaints should be looked into and their grievances redressed so that the party will move on to victory.

"I join our many admirers, friends and well-wishers in praying for a successful, transparent, free and fair elections come April, 2011."