US, UK, France, Ouattara, others congratulate Jonathan

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Latest Politics Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

WORLD leaders and international groups have congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan on his victory in the presidential election.

In separate statements by the United States, United Kingdom, France and other bodies, the countries noted that by the peaceful conduct of the general elections, Nigeria had taken an important step forward in its development and in deepening democracy.

US President Barrack Obama; his French counterpart, Nicholas Sarkozy; Ivorian President, Alassanne Ouattara; British Foreign Secretary, William Hague; a group, Nigerians in Mexico and some human rights lawyers were among international personalities and groups that congratulated Jonathan on Wednesday.

Obama congratulated Jonathan for winning Saturday’s presidential election, saying the election represented “a positive new beginning for Nigeria.”

A statement issued by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, wished Jonathan well “in meeting the many challenges facing Nigeria’’ and in providing good governance.

The US also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, its Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, government agencies and civil society for their strong collaboration and dedication to democracy.

Sarkozy said the election was a step towards consolidating democracy and strengthening good governance in Nigeria.

This was contained in a letter to Jonathan made available to the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in London.

“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, ’’Sarkozy said.

Ouattara in Abidjan said Jonathan’s victory at the poll would strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and the country.

“President Ouattara and President Jonathan are best of friends before the elections and we are happy he won the election,” says Ouattara’s spokesman, Patrick Achi.

Achi, who is also the Ivorian Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, in an interview with NAN said, “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.”

The British government described the presidential election as the most credible since 1999.

Hague, who made the remarks in a statement by the British High Commission in Abuja on Wednesday, added that the election was a step forward for Nigeria’s democracy and indeed in Africa.

Hague, however, condemned the post-election violence in some parts of the country.

Also, Nigerians in Mexico have expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the April 16, 2011 presidential election.

The country’s ambassador to Mexico, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, said Nigerians in Mexico were proud of the proper handling of the election by the INEC.

Nwuruku’s remark is contained in an online statement sent to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

He explained that the way INEC conducted the presidential election had restored the dignity of Nigerians and Africans.

He said, “Before now, Nigerians in the Diaspora have been hiding their faces in shame due to the manner we conducted our elections. But with the improvement on the presidential election, it means we have started somewhere.”

Two human rights activists, Ugochukwu Osuagwu and Charles Ogboli, have also congratulated Jonathan on his victory at the presidential poll. They urged the President to reorganise the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to fast track the fight against graft.

The activists also called on the president-elect to merge the EFCC with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to avoid duplication of functions and waste of public funds.

The two lawyers in a congratulatory letter, dated April 18 and made available to journalists, said the EFCC as it’s presently constituted, had failed.

-Punchwp_posts