President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated Mr. George Weah, over his election as next President of the Republic of Liberia.
The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday, congratulated Mr. Weah even as he commended the Liberian people for comporting themselves in a peaceful manner, which enabled the country’s National Election Commission to conduct what he described as historic presidential run-off election.
According to the statement, the Africa’s leading anti-corruption fighter stressed that the success of the Liberia’s new electoral experience “is another plus on Africa’s democratic scoreboard.”
Equally, President Buhari applauded the efforts of the National Election Commission of Liberia, as well as regional and international observers for their immense contributions to the electoral process and the strengthening of post-conflict democracy in the West African country.
Describing Weah’s victory as an affirmation of the will of the Liberian people to remain united, peaceful and prosperous, President Buhari pledged Nigeria’s readiness to work with Liberia on issues of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and global levels for the benefit of citizens of both countries.
The Nigerian leader also commended outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, under whose 12-year watch Liberia had transformed from being a pariah state to a country doing remarkably well on many fronts such as, women and civil rights issue, peace building and consolidation, ECOWAS and the Mano River Union.
President Buhari also noted that President Sirleaf deserved special commendation for the statesmanship she had shown in ensuring free and fair elections that would pave the way for a peaceful transfer of political power from one democratically elected leader to another for the first time in 73 years.
Wishing President-elect Weah and Liberians a peaceful transition, he reassured them of Nigeria’s determination to sustain the current cordial relationship with Liberia.
George Weah is a former international footballer.
