1st April, 2015
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and other world leaders on Wednesday congratulated General Muhammed Buhari on his hard worn victory in the presidential election held last Saturday.
Ban in a statement issued on Tuesday night in New York, said he had spoken to Jonathan and Buhari on the outcome of the polls as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ban commended Jonathan for his leadership qualities throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process. He also applauded the INEC for organising the elections in a professional and credible “manner under challenging circumstances”. The UN Chief called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections.
Ban also appealed to them to address any complaints they may have through existing legal and constitutional channels. The Secretary-General said the successful conduct of the polls was a testimony to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy. He expressed hope that the same democratic spirit would prevail in the conduct of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on April 11.
The President of the Republic of France, Mr François Hollande also joined the growing list of world leaders in congratulating Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on his election as Nigeria’s next president.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by France embassy in Nigeria.
It stated that Hollande welcomed the commitment of the Nigerian people and the professionalism exhibited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the polls.
According to the statement, the French President will speak with Buhari on Thursday as France intends to continue its cordial relationship with Nigeria.
“France continues to stand with Nigeria to uphold democratic values, fight against terrorism and promote economic partnership between the two countries,’’ it said.