Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja, and Noah Ebije, Kaduna, with agency report
The Chinese Government, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his election for a second term.
Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lu Kang, extended the wishes of the Chinese Government when he briefed newsmen in Beijing, yesterday.
“We noted that Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission has released the official result for the general election and extend our congratulations on Mr. Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election as president of Nigeria,” Lu said.
Lu further said Nigeria is China’s important strategic cooperation partner in Africa, adding that China always attached great importance to growing its strategic partnership with Nigeria.
China, Lu also said, stands ready to work with the administration of President Buhari to step up exchange and cooperation in various areas to bring more benefits to the Chinese and Nigerian people.
Similarly, the United Kingdom (UK) has congratulated Buhari on his victory.
The UK said in conjunction with its international partners, it believed the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were something that Nigerians can rely on.
The result, the UK added, was consistent with the result obtained through the civil society’s Parallel Vote Tabulation process.
UK’s Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, made the UK’s position known in a statement in Abuja, yesterdsay.
Baldwin further said with the conclusion of the election, Nigerians have demonstrated resilience and a commitment to democracy.
Baldwin however said the UK also recognised that independent Nigerian voices have expressed concerns about the conduct of the electoral process, in particular, logistics and results collation and reports of intimidation of election officials.
“We urge any party or individual who wishes to challenge the process to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channel and we encourage Nigerian authorities to examine all allegations of wrongdoing carefully, and take the necessary action against individuals found responsible.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged former Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to concede defeat and congratulate the winner, President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari is president-elect.
The ACF argued that the country must move foward.
This was even as the ACF congratulated Buhari on his victory, and saluted Atiku’s courage; for putting up a gallant fight, with an impressive performance in the presidential election.
The ACF’s position was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu.
“The forum calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of the PDP, as a committed democrat, who cherishes peaceful democratic transition to accept the will of the people, concede defeat and congratulate president Buhari on his well-deserved victory at the just concluded election, especially as there are credible evidence that the elections have been generally peaceful, free and fair.
“Such concession on the part of the main challenger would be in the overall interest of Nigeria and place him among global democrats. ACF equally urges other contestants to be magnanimous in accepting defeat and congratulate their opponents…
“The journey to this point has not been easy on the contestants, the electorate and other stakeholders. However, with perseverance, resilience, determination and hard work by all in the electoral process, Nigeria has come to this successful end. The 2019 Presidential election is another milestone in the nation’s election history…”
In a related development, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has urged Atiku not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal over his loss of the February 23 presidential election.
Yesterday morning, INEC declared Buhari winner of the election with 15,191,847 votes, to defeat Atiku, who scored 11,262,978 votes.
Shortly after the announcement, Atiku rejected the result and disclosed he would challenge it in court.
Regardless, Agbakoba urged Atiku not to lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lies in front of him despite the outcome of the result.
”I understand the PDP is aggrieved about the outcome of the election and alleged massive irregularities but I urge former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal…”