•As Saraki, Ekweremadu congratulate incoming president
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja and Emmanuel Uzor, Abakaliki
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the United States presidential election.
Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said Buhari looks forward to working together with Trump to strengthen an already-established friendly relations between both countries, including cooperation on many shared foreign policy priorities, such as the fight against terrorism, peace and security, economic growth, democracy and good governance.
“As Trump prepares to assume the position of the President of the United States, president Buhari extends his good wishes to him on the onerous task of leading the world’s strongest economy,” the statement read.a
Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu have also congratulated Trump on “his remarkable victory.”
Saraki noted how Trump persevered in a tough primary and on the campaign trial while Ekweremadu pledged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will support the new US president.
“Trump persevered through a very challenging Republican primary election cycle, where he defeated sixteen 16 professional and well-organised candidates. While many career politicians tried to write off Trump’s candidacy as a long shot, he stuck to his positions and controlled the daily media, messaging like no other candidate in the history of American Presidential campaigns.
“Additionally, I must commend Mr. Trump for his gracious and courteous acceptance of Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s phone call to concede the election. He recognises that Secretary Clinton ran a courageous contest and was perhaps the most qualified candidate for President in decades. Having worked with Mrs. Clinton as a champion of the Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves, I can personally attest to her hard work and dedication to the less fortunate in our society. Secretary Clinton would have been a tremendous leader and we will all miss her dedication and commitment to public service.
“I look forward to working with President-Elect Trump to continue the strong U.S-Nigeria relationship and, to address our mutual interest in defeating global terror networks, rooting out corruption and strengthening the institutions of governance.
On his part, Ekweremadu reiterated PDP will work assiduously with Trump.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichikwu, Senator Ekweremadu said emerging democracies, including Nigeria, must emulate the democratic and transparent nature of the US election and noted that the will of the people and respect for democratic principles must be allowed at all times and also, against the backdrop that the election was not inconclusive.
Ekweremadu, who described the election as “hard-fought”, said the two major contestants gave a good account of themselves, however commended the candidate of the Democratic Party, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, for calling to concede the presidency to her rival and congratulating him on his hard-worn victory.