President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former football star, Mr George Weah, on his election as the next President of the Republic of Liberia.
Buhari also commended the people of the West African country on the peaceful conduct of the polls, according to a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Friday.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly congratulates Mr George Weah on his election as the next President of the Republic of Liberia,” Buhari said.
While praising the efforts of the National Election Commission of Liberia and both local and international observers, Buhari noted their contributions have helped shape the democratic process of the once war-torn country.
He also described Weah’s victory as an affirmation of the will of the Liberian people to remain united, peaceful and prosperous.
On the need for a more regional cooperation within the continent, Buhari pledged Nigeria’s readiness to work with Liberia on issues of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and global levels for the benefit of citizens of both countries.
The statement read in part: “The Nigerian leader also commends outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, under whose 12-year watch Liberia had transformed from being a pariah state to a country doing remarkably well on many fronts such as, women and civil rights issue, peace building and consolidation, ECOWAS and the Mano River Union.
“President Buhari also notes that President Sirleaf deserves special commendation for the statesmanship she has shown in ensuring free and fair elections that will pave the way for a peaceful transfer of political power from one democratically elected leader to another for the first time in 73 years.”
