Buhari congratulates Ghana’s Akufo-Addo, says election “historic”

ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, on his victory in the December 7 Ghana presidential election. This was contained in a statement by his media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina on Saturday.

The statement which described the election as “historic” also stated that “President Buhari also felicitates 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 that produced a winner from an opposition party, who was contesting for the third time.

He said that “As a scion of one of the biggest political families in Ghana, and with the lessons learnt from previous unsuccessful attempts preceded by years of service to the country, most notably as foreign affairs minister, President Buhari believes Akufo-Addo is widely experienced and skilled in leadership to build on the legacies of President John Dramani Mahama.”

The president also “extols the statesmanship and great leadership qualities of Mahama, who came into power at a trying period for the country with the passing away of former President John Atta-Mills, and kept pushing for a better life for all Ghanaians, and strengthening diplomatic relations with countries in the sub-region, especially Nigeria.

He particularly commends the incumbent President “for the great courage to call his opponent and concede defeat, stressing that leaders must always honour their pre-election pledge to accept the results of polls as the will of the people.”

President Buhari said he remained optimistic 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. He urged the President-elect and other winners of the parliamentary elections in Ghana to be magnanimous in victory while losers should explore peaceful and legal mechanisms to challenge the outcome of the polls where necessary.

President Buhari noted that the greater interest of the country and the stability of the sub-region should be uppermost in the minds of all stakeholders. He wished Ghana a smooth transition of power, and looked forward to working with the new President.