Obama, Cameron, others praise Buhari, Jonathan, Jega

GLOBAL leaders and organisations
have congratulated Nigerians,
especially the President-elect,
Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.),
President Goodluck Jonathan and
the Chairman, Independent
National Electoral Commission
Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for
the successful conduct of Saturday’s
presidential and National Assembly
polls.
They said in separate statements
on Wednesday that the orderly
conduct of Nigerians during the
elections and the acceptance of
defeat by Jonathan were
remarkable.
The leaders and organisations are
the United States President Barack
Obama; the United Kingdom Prime
Minister, David Cameron; French
President, Francois Hollande; South
African President Jacob Zuma;
United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon, the European Union,
the ECOWAS Election Observation
Mission, the African Union and the
Commonwealth.
Obama, in a statement by the White
House, said that INEC and Jega
deserved a special recognition,
both nationally and internationally.
Commending Jonathan for
conceding defeat and Buhari for
emerging victorious, he urged
them to ensure a peaceful
transition.
Obama said, “The last few days
have shown the world the strength
of Nigeria’s commitment to
democratic principles. By turning
out in large numbers and
sometimes waiting all day to cast
their votes, Nigerians came
together to decide the future of
their country peacefully.
“I commend President Jonathan
and the President-elect,
Muhammadu Buhari, for their public
commitments to non-violence
throughout the campaign.”
Obama noted that Jonathan placed
Nigeria’s interests first by
conceding the election and
congratulating the President-elect
on his victory.
He added, “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.”
Concerning the efforts of Jega in
keeping the poll free, fair and
credible, Obama said, “Nigeria’s
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.”
However, the US president urged
Jega and INEC to improve its
performance ahead of April 11
elections.
Obama said, “Looking ahead to the
governorship 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.”
Also, Cameron in a statement on
www.gov.uk said, ‘‘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.”
President Hollande on his part
welcomed the commitment of
Nigerians and the quality of work of
INEC towards the success of the
polls.
A statement from the French
Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday,
said that Hollande would speak
with Buhari on Thursday(today),
adding that he intended to
establish with Buhari the trustful
relations France had with
Jonathan.
The President of South Africa, Jacob
Zuma, congratulated Buhari on
his emergence as the President-
elect and Jonathan for his
leadership and commitment to
“consolidating democracy, peace
and stability in Nigeria.”
To Zuma, Jonathan’s action was
indicative of his readiness and
commitment to ensuring a smooth
transfer of power with a view to
ensuring that Nigeria did not
experience violence.
The UN Secretary-General, Ki-
moon, congratulated Buhari and
called on all Nigerians to accept the
outcome of the elections.
A statement by the UN said, “The
Secretary-General talked to
President Jonathan and Maj. Gen.
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.
“The Secretary-General believes
the successful conduct of these
polls is a testament to the maturity
of Nigeria’s democracy.”
Ban hoped that the same
democratic spirit will prevail in the
conduct of the governorship and
state Houses of Assembly elections
on April 11.
Also, the Head of ECOWAS Election
Observation Mission, former
Ghanaian President John Kuffuor ,
and the African Union and the
Commonwealth congratulated
Nigeria’s National Peace
Committee for its work.
They called on Nigerians to carry
through the entire electoral
process the maturity and discipline
displayed during the presidential
and National Assembly elections.
At a meeting in Abuja, Kuffuor and
the AU Observer Mission Chief,
former Liberian leader, Prof. Amos
Sawyer, and head of the
Commonwealth poll observers,
Bakili Muluzi, advised the
Abdulsalami Abubakar-led
committee to continue to build
trust and confidence for peaceful
coexistence during the post-
election period.
They said, “Elections are about
governance and our prayer is that
Nigerian political parties, their
candidates and teeming supporters
will accept the results of the
elections, with the winner showing
magnanimity and the runner-up
showing cooperation.”
The EU High Representative and
Vice-President, Federica Mogherini,
in a statement thanked Jonathan
for his contribution to
consolidating Nigeria’s democracy
over the past five years.

dat nice, togetherness we all need.

dat nice, togetherness we all need.

Hmmmmm..

delafirst wrote:

dat nice, togetherness we all need.

Yeah

eddyvic wrote:

delafirst wrote:

dat nice, togetherness we all need.

Yeah

Exactly

I congratulate my new president

I congratulate my new MAN

Baba nkiyi o

Good n nice

delafirst wrote:

Good n nice

Tanx 4 ur concerning

Better!

he deserve it

Yes

dericyk wrote:

he deserve it

deserved what?

To be praise