■Congratulate Buhari, hail Jonathan, INEC
World leaders yesterday hailed the outcome of the presidential elections in Nigeria.
They expressed satisfaction and excitement over the calm with which all the stakeholders, particularly the two major contenders, President Goodluck Jonathan and the winner, General Muhammadu Buhari accepted the result.
Outcome of polls demonstrate maturity of democracy in Nigeria – African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has expressed satisfaction at the recent official announcement of the results on the elections in Nigeria.
She congratulated president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari for his victory. According to her, the outcome of the elections clearly demonstrates the maturity of democracy not only in Nigeria but on the Continent as a whole.
The Chairperson expressed her appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for graciously accepting the results of the elections. She also congratulated all the other candidates for participating in this democratic electoral process.
Zuma hopes that Nigeria will be united in facing the challenges of stability, security and development in their country and continue their role as one of the locomotives for Africa’s socio-economic development.
US look forward to working with Buhari –Obama
Commends Jonathan
United States President Barack Obama has commended President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign.
In a statement made available to Daily Sun by the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos yesterday, Obama said President Jonathan placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory.
The statement read in part: “I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture.
“I urge President-Elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition.
“Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, deserve special recognition for what independent international observers have deemed a largely peaceful and orderly vote.
“I commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process. Looking ahead to the gubernatorial elections on April 11, it is imperative that national attention turn to ensuring isolated logistical challenges are overcome and peace is protected, even in the most hotly contested races.
“On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to President-Elect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities.”
Conduct of election in Nigeria exemplary –South Africa’s opposition party
South Africa’s official opposition has congratulated Nigeria on the outcome of polls and Muhammadu Buhari on his election as President.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes the election is significant as it is the first time in Nigeria’s history that an opposition party has democratically taken control of the country from the ruling party.
This signals the first democratic transition of government in Nigeria in the last 16 years, Stevens Mokgalapa, DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, said. “The DA has long held that the undemocratic installation of any government should not be tolerated by the people of any particular nation,” he said.
He described the conduct of the elections in Nigeria as exemplary. “This (Wednesday’) morning’s announcement is welcome news and the DA hopes that this will be the case for Nigerian general elections to come and that other African nations marred by election irregularities can aspire to make this progress in future.”
This is a good sign of a maturing democracy and we trust that this democratic practice will continue to be further entrenched in Nigeria and throughout the rest of Africa, said Mokgalapa.
We’re proud of Nigeria, Jonathan –Mo Ibrahim
The Founder of African Leadership Prize, Mo Ibrahim expressed excitement over the success of the presidential election in Nigeria, particularly the acceptance of defeat by President Jonathan.
A statement issued read: “The news from Nigeria today is wonderful. Africa’s largest country has concluded a peaceful election process. Furthermore, the incumbent has already gracefully conceded and congratulated his successor, a first for Nigeria and a benchmark for other African countries to follow.
“Today, we Africans are all proud of Nigeria and President Jonathan. Thank you Mr President. If you are seeking a legacy, you have definitely achieved it.”
A truly historic moment for Nigerian democracy – UK PM
British Prime Minister David Cameron in a statement congratulated General Mohammadu Buhari for winning the election.
“I send my warmest congratulations to General Buhari on being elected as Nigeria’s next President. This election has been a credit to the Nigerian people and a truly historic moment for Nigerian democracy. The UK remains a steadfast partner for Nigeria as it realises its potential as Africa’s economic powerhouse and works to tackle terrorism in the region,” the statement said.
A testament of maturity of Nigeria’s democracy –UN boss
United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections.
“The Secretary-General talked to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Major General (Rtd) Muhammadu Buhari. He congratulated President-elect Buhari and commended President Jonathan for his leadership throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process,” said a note released by Mr. Ban’s spokesman’s office in New York.
“The Secretary-General believes the successful conduct of these polls is a testament to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement added.
Mr. Ban also thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organizing and carrying out the elections in a professional manner under challenging circumstances.
He also appealed to the Nigerian people to address any complaints they may have through existing legal and constitutional channels.
The UN chief also said that he hoped the same democratic spirit will prevail in the conduct of the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections on 11 April.
Transition to new government must stay peaceful –UK Foreign Secretary
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has congratulated both President Goodluck Jonathan and President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari over the outcome of the elections.
He urged the two leaders to ensure that the transition to new government remains peaceful. The statement read: “Three decades after seizing power in a military coup, Buhari has become the first Nigerian to oust a president through the ballot box, putting him in charge of Africa’s biggest economy and one of its most turbulent democracies. Jonathan called Buhari on Tuesday to concede defeat and issued a statement urging his supporters to accept the result.
“I congratulate Muhammadu Buhari on his election victory … and also President Goodluck Jonathan for the statesmanship he has shown in delivering free and fair elections and accepting the result. It is now important for both parties to ensure the transition to a new government remains peaceful.”
Today Nigeria can show the world it’s major democracy –Ex- French PM
Former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius in his congratulatory message described the General Muhammadu Buhar’s victory as victory for the people of Nigeria who affirmed their attachment to democracy and their confidence in the future, by refusing to allow themselves to be intimidated by terrorists.
“Today, Nigeria can show the world that it is a major democracy. It is a source of pride for the population and a source of satisfaction to Nigeria’s partners. The Independent Electoral Commission has done an excellent job. We welcome the spirit of responsibility demonstrated by the political leaders and pay tribute to the action of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“I hope that President Buhari’s term of office will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries and to put an end to Boko Haram’s terrorist activities. We also hope that Nigeria will be able to continue its remarkable economic growth, in the interest of the continent’s prosperity,” the satement said.
Trumph for Africa –Ghanaian presidentGhanaian President and Chair of the Economic Community of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), John Dramani Mahama, has hailed the outcome of Nigeria’s presidential election as a triumph for the new Africa that is emerging.
He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his “political maturity and statesmanship”, describing his call to President-elect Buhari as “a mark of courage and a respect for the will of the Nigerian people.”
Also, the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, has congratulated Buhari and Nigeria. “Through the peaceful exercise of their sovereign and democratic right to elect their own leaders, the people of Nigeria have strengthened the frontiers of democracy for all other African countries to emulate,” he said.
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