Buhari Congratulates Ghana’s President-elect, Says Akufo-addo  Is Experienced, Skilled In Leadership

BEVERLY HILLS, December 10, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday congratulated the candidate of the New Patriotic Party, NPP, Mr Nana Akufo-Addo, on his historic victory in the December 7 presidential election in Ghana.

He also felicitated with the government and people of Ghana, the National Electoral Commission, and candidates of political parties, for the decorum, maturity and peaceful conduct of the election.

Buhari made the congratulation in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, noting that the poll produced a winner from an opposition party, who was contesting for the third time.

Buhari acknowledged that president-elect Akufo-Addo is widely experienced and skilled in leadership; a development he said would him to build on the legacies of President John Dramani Mahama.

He also extolled the statesmanship and great leadership qualities of Mahama, noting that Mahama came to power at a trying period for Ghana with the death of former President John Atta-Mills and kept pushing for a better life for all Ghanaians.

The Nigerian leader also lauded Mahama for strengthening diplomatic relations with countries in the sub-region, especially Nigeria.

He particularly commended the incumbent President for the great courage to call his opponent and concede defeat.

Buhari stressed that leaders must always honour their pre-election pledge to accept the results of polls as the will of the people.

He expressed optimism that the future of African development rested on building strong political, democratic institutions, ensuring free, fair and credible elections, and respect for the sanctity of the ballot.

Buhari urged the President-elect and other winners of the parliamentary elections in Ghana to be magnanimous in victory and called on those that lost in the election to explore peaceful and legal mechanisms to challenge the outcome of the polls, where necessary.

He said that the greater interest of the country and stability of the sub-region should be uppermost in the minds of all stakeholders.

The President went on to wish Ghana a smooth transition of power, even as he disclosed that he looks forward to working with the incoming President of Ghana.