African and countries outside the continent have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election in the February 23 presidential poll.
The United States government, in its statement by its secretary of state, Mr. Michael Pompeo, congratulated the people of Nigeria on a successful presidential election and the president on his re-election.
“We commend all those Nigerians who participated peacefully in the election and condemn those whose acts of violence harmed Nigerians and the electoral process.
“We note the assessments of international and domestic observer missions affirming the overall credibility of the election, despite localized violence and irregularities.
“We also congratulate all the other candidates for their peaceful participation in the electoral process. We call on all Nigerians to ensure successful state elections next week.
“Going forward, the United States remains committed to working together with Nigeria to achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations,” said Pompeo.
France in its statement promised to continue to stand by Nigeria and provide full support for the implementation of its priorities especially, economic diversification, job creation, counterterrorism and the fight against corruption.
“France will continue to stand by Nigeria and provide its full support for the implementation of the country’s priorities especially, economic diversification, job creation, counter-terrorism and the fight against corruption,” said France in a statement by the French Embassy Press Attaché, Damilola Ayodeji.
For her part, the British prime minister, Mrs. Theresa May, the minister of state for Africa, Ms. Harriett Baldwin in a statement issued by the British High Commission in Abuja felicitated with the president saying the results of the poll were consistent with the results obtained through the civil society Parallel Vote Tabulation process.
“I offer my congratulations to President Buhari on securing a second term as the Nigerian President.”
“The UK is a long-standing friend and partner of Nigeria and the Nigerian people and a stable and prosperous Nigeria benefits Africa and the world,” she said
“I offer my congratulations to President Buhari on securing a second term as the Nigerian President”, Baldwin said, describing the UK as a long-standing friend and partner of Nigeria and the Nigerian people.
While noting that a stable and prosperous Nigeria would benefit Africa and the world, she said: “The Nigerian people have demonstrated resilience and a commitment to democracy. The result declared by the Nigerian election commission is consistent with the result obtained through the civil society Parallel Vote Tabulation process.
“Along with our international partners, the UK believes the Nigerian people can have confidence in the result.”
The minister however said the UK was not unmindful of the independent Nigerian voices that have expressed concerns about the conduct of the electoral process, in particular logistics and results collation, and reports of intimidation of election officials.
To this end, she appealed to any party or individual who wishes to challenge the process to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channel.
She, on the other hand, encouraged the federal government to examine all allegations of wrongdoing carefully, and take the necessary action against individuals found responsible.
“My thoughts are also with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in election-related violence. No one should die in the exercise of their democratic rights. We will continue to support Nigeria and its civil society in drawing lessons from these elections and strengthening its democracy,” she said.
She reiterated the continued support of the UK government to Nigeria and its civil society “in drawing lessons from these elections and strengthening its democracy.”
Similarly, King Mohammed VI of Morocco felicitated with the president saying his (president’s) victory is an affirmation of the level of confidence Nigerians have in him and promised to work with him to advance the interests of both countries.
Buhari’s media aide, Mr. Garba Shehu in a statement quoted the Moroccan monarch as saying: “Your re-election is a testimony to the level of confidence that you enjoy among the people of Nigeria, attributable to your wisdom, experience in politics, sense of engagement and devotion to the service and the protection of the interests of the country especially as they relate to the prosperity, wellbeing and security of your people.”
The monarch expressed satisfaction with the existing cordial and fraternal African relationship linking the two leaders, their people, and nations.
He reiterated his determination to work in concert with President Buhari to reinforce the mutually beneficial relationship between Morocco and Nigeria and to give it a new impetus to serve as a model on the African continent.
Besides, the president of Guinea, Mr. Alpha Omar Conde extended his congratulations, describing the re-election of President Buhari as a dose of hope for the West African region.
Conde expressed confidence that the cordial relations between Nigeria and Guinea will continue to get better.
Kenya’s president, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta also congratulated Buhari on his re-election.
In a statement Kenyatta said he was looking forward to continuing to work closely with Buhari to consolidate “mutually beneficial areas of cooperation for the greater good of both Kenya and Nigeria”.
He also posted a tweet to congratulate Buhari, saying his victory was a “clear demonstration of the trust and confidence” Nigerians have in him.
A statement from the South African presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa paid “particular focus on the strengthening of economic cooperation” when congratulating Buhari.
Zimbabwean president, Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa also wished Buhari well in his efforts to steer the country towards further progress and development.
The president also received congratulatory messages from presidents Nana Koffi-Addo of Ghana and Macky Sall of Senegal.
