ATLANTA, Georgia, April 2 (MaraviPost) _The United States congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government on historic and largely peaceful elections this past weekend. In a statement, President Obama said, “The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully.”
President Obama commended President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign. “President Jonathan has placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory. I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture. I urge President-Elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition.”
Secretary of State John Kerry applauded the voters who showed patience and demonstrated their commitment to participate in the democratic process. He recalled his January 2015 trip to Nigeria where he met with both President Jonathan and now President-Elect Buhari and “…emphasized that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner and that Nigeria has a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of this continent and beyond.”
Secretary Kerry recognized Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission (INEC) for its role in conducting a largely peaceful and orderly vote. Secretary Kerry said, “The United States commends Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, on the generally orderly vote, on the use of technology such as card readers to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, and on prompt communication of the results. While we note reports of logistical problems, such incidents did not undermine the overall outcome of the election.”
Both President Obama and Secretary Kerry extended congratulations to President-elect Buhari and reiterated the United States’ commitment to working with the newly elected government that emerges from this democratic process.
