Yakubu Gowon
Mr Gowon, who described the eruption of violence in some parts of the country as unfortunate, said it was capable of truncating the process of transparent polls, which the country has witnessed in the last two weeks.
"It is most unfortunate and regrettable," "Any true Nigerian with good conscience will not allow that. This is happening even when the entire result has not been fully announced and probably because they gathered some information.
"It is regrettable and uncalled for and I hope the leadership of those involved will do something that will really curtail the madness that comes from the reports that we are hearing. It is regrettable that this is happening after such a very good election we have had in the last two weeks."
Mr. Gowon said although the entire result of the presidential poll has not been announced, it is clear that "Nigerians have decided democratically what they want."
He said that he had expected those that are losing to accept the outcome of the poll, but "unfortunately there has been violence which marred the celebration and joy that we are having free and fair election."
No suspension
The former military ruler argued that it would have been wrong for the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to suspend the announcement of the result of the election because of the violence, warning that it might create the unfortunate situation witnessed in 1993 when the announcement of that year's presidential election was suspended.
He said: "I don't see any reason why the announcement should be suspended as a result of the action. But let us not prejudge what INEC will do. Those in INEC know what to do but we should be careful so that what happened during the 1993 presidential election is not repeated."
Also speaking on the uprising, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani asked the leaders of those involved to quickly address them because their actions will not benefit anybody.
"The political leaders of such areas should quickly address their followers and tell them that nobody stands to gain anything from any uprising," Mr Nnamani told us in a telephone interview.
"The profile of Nigeria is rising as a result of the two elections so far and anybody who tampers with this enthusiasm is not doing the country any favour.
"They should immediately address their supporters.
"People are happy with the progress and if there are errors in one or two places, violence will not make it to be better."
He noted that Nigerians are now aware that development starts from the ballot box, adding that if the country must actualize the Vision 2020, emphasis must be placed on educating the people.
Mr Nnamani, who commended the corps members used for the elections for doing a good job, warned that postponing the announcement of the entire result of the election could fuel the crisis at hand.
"I don't think it is necessary, it will be postponing the evil's day because most people, by now, have known the result, but we want it to be official.
"Political leaders should come forward and show the spirit of sportsmanship. The errors some parties are complaining about are not substantial. I am not saying it is perfect but we can build on this," the former senate president said.
On his part, the chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Ahmadu Ali described the uprising trailing the presidential polls as "primitive." "What is happening is primitive. Just because a party loses election people are going on rampage," Mr Ali said in a telephone interview.
The former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to refrain his supporters from unleashing violence in the country if he truly loves it.
"Buhari should come out and make a statement if he truly loves this country. And I know that he loves this country. I know Buhari. He should call his people to order immediately. He has full responsibility on his head because to take to violence is primitive," Mr Ali said.
He also called for proper education of voters and supporters of political leaders, saying no religion believes in violence. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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