FOR his act of statesmanship in conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan, has earned the respect of Nigerians and the international community, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, has observed.
The Ghanaian leader was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, where he told State House correspondents after a private meeting with President Jonathan that he was in the country to congratulate him on the successful conduct of the general election.
He said: “I also took the opportunity to commend him for the statesmanship that was displayed after the election. We all knew that he congratulated president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari after the election and he conceded.
“I feel that was a very, very great sign of maturity and has earned the respect of all Nigerians and the international community for all what he did.”
Mahama reiterated that he was in the country in his capacity as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as a follow up of his pre-election visit, during which he showed the sub-region’s solidarity with Nigerians.
He added: “I paid this visit in my capacity as the chairman of the ECOWAS to extend our commendation and congratulations to the people of Nigeria, following a very successful elections that you had recently,” adding that he had encouraged the country to work towards a peaceful election and consolidate democracy through a free, fair and transparent process.
The Ghanaian leader further said: “I believe that the whole world is congratulating you on the peace and stability that has continued to endure before, during and after the elections.
“I have been conferring with President Jonathan on several issues in respect of ECOWAS. We are due to have a summit and we discussed issues about the summit and a few outstanding issues relating to ECOWAS.
“We expect a smooth transition and possibly the role that Nigeria plays in the ECOWAS being the biggest economy, not only in our sub-region, but in the whole continent.
“Nigeria is a very important member of our sub-region and we expect that Nigeria will continue to play this prominent role in the ECOWAS sub-region.
“Of course, there is a special relation that exists between Nigeria and Ghana too and so, in my second hat as the president of Ghana, wish to congratulate our brothers and sisters in Nigeria on what has been a very good election.
“Ghana and Nigeria will continue to hold a special relations and be very close to each other. We share the same values and more often than not, we agree on international issues and we will continue to share that relationship and I am sure it will make the bonds between our countries stronger.”
