• Poll outcome, lesson in civility, message of hope –Shehu Sani
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the government and people of Liberia on the successful conduct of the Liberian Presidential Election.
This is even as the former chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani, has said that the outcome of the Liberian presidential election is a lesson in civility and a message of hope for the West African sub-region.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President also congratulated the President-elect, Joseph Boakai, who won the mandate of the people, enjoining him to unite the country and build on the popular support expressed through the ballot box to deliver good governance to the people of Liberia.
President Tinubu also commended President George Weah for demonstrating uncommon leadership by conceding the election and averting any form of socio-political crisis.
He said President Weah’s great act of democratic sportsmanship is exemplary, particularly at this time in West Africa, when democracy is under attack by malign actors who are bent on subverting the will of the people.
“I commend President George Weah for his sterling example, undiluted patriotism, and statesmanship. He has defied the stereotype that peaceful transitions of power are untenable in West Africa. He has demonstrated that the outcome of elections in the sub-region need not become the propellant of violence and unrest and that the will of the people must always be respected,” Tinubu said.
The President thanked the people of Liberia for peacefully exercising their rights and implored them to remain steadfast in the furtherance of peace and democracy.
Senator Shehu Sani who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019, while commenting on the outcome of the Liberian election via his social media platform, Sani said: “The election that led to the defeat of Liberia’s President Weah and the victory of Boakai is much more than just another election. The election was reportedly credible, transparent, peaceful and without hesitation, George conceded and congratulated the winner, despite the slim margin of victory.
“Liberia has cast a light in a region nearly enveloped by the darkness of military coups, controversial elections and endless political hostilities.
“Liberian election is a lesson in civility and a message of hope. Liberia is the new moral compass of the sub-region.”
Sani recalled that Liberia rose from the ashes and now becoming a tree of political tolerance and decency in West Africa.
“There was a time we rescued and saved Liberians from themselves and now they are doing same to us. Congratulations to Joseph Boakai for the victory and kudos to the outgoing President George for demonstration of such unwavering act of statesmanship, sportsmanship and patriotism,” Sani said, adding, “Weah should be in the league of former Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan who congratulated former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. I hope history and posterity will be kind to Weah.”