Obama, Sarkozy, Quattara Congratulate President Jonathan
President Barak Obama of the United States of America has congratulated Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan over his electoral victory at the just concluded presidential election.Nicholas Sarkozy of France and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire also sent congratulatory messages to Jonathan. The US government called it a positive new beginning for Nigeria.
President Obama, who made a statement on the victory of President Jonathan through the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, challenged Jonathan on the many problems facing the country tasking him on good governance.
According to the statement, Mrs. Clinton, who sent it on behalf of the American government, said: "I applaud the people of Nigeria for their enthusiastic and orderly participation in the April 16th presidential election.
"This historic event marks a dramatic shift from decades of failed elections and a substantial improvement over the 2007 presidential election."
While commending the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, security agencies and civil society groups for the part they played in ensuring the election was successful, she said: "They provided a real opportunity for the Nigerian people to select their most senior leaders and will position Nigeria to build its democracy through strong governance, transparent institutions, and economic development."
The U.S government, maintained that the elections were not perfect as there were pockets of challenges. It also urged INEC to handle allegations of unethical practices against its officials and sanction those found wanting.
"The United States condemns the acts of violence related to elections and we call upon all candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the results of the election and channel any grievances or challenges peacefully through established administrative organs for legal redress.
"The international community will closely watch the upcoming gubernatorial elections and we call on all Nigerian stakeholders to support a credible and peaceful electoral process."
For French President Sarkozy, the election is a step towards the consolidation of democracy and strengthening of good governance in Nigeria.
In a congratulatory letter to Jonathan, Sarkozy wrote: "I know you intend to transform Nigeria and I can assure you that France is determined to provide you its full support for this ambitious project."
Commending Jonathan on the way he managed the Ivorian crisis, Sarkozy said: "We have to continue our dialogue on these major issues; your role is essential both within ECOWAS, the AU and within the UN Security council."
The French President promised to strengthen its strategic partnership with Nigeria on the basis of agreements made during the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar'Adua in June 2008.
The Ivorian President Ouattara, in Abidjan, said President Good luck Jonathan's victory at the polls would strengthen relationship between Nigeria and the country.
President Quattara in his congratulatory message, made available by Patrick Achi, his spokesperson and Minister of Economy and Infrastructure in the country, said: "President Ouattara and President Jonathan are best of friends before the elections and we are happy he won the elections.
"We are happy that President Jonathan won the elections and we know that the president's victory at the polls will strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire.
"The two countries are the biggest economies in West Africa and we hope that the relationship between the two will improve the roles of ECOWAS and the AU in building the region and the continent."