President John Mahama of Ghana has been congratulated by President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State for his win in Saturday’s presidential elections in his country.
Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who released a statement on the President’s behalf, welcomed Mahama’s success in securing the mandate of his people for a full term in office. Mahama had become president following the death of his predecessor in July 2012.
Abati described the victory as an endorsement by the Ghanaian electorate of his leadership, and his party’s action plan for further socio-economic development and continued consolidation of democracy in the country.
The statement read, “President Jonathan notes that the very keenly contested elections have been adjudged as free and fair by observers from the Economic Community of West African States and other international observers.
“On behalf of himself, the Government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan salutes the people of Ghana for the conduct of successful polls.
“While calling on the victorious candidate and political party to extend a hand of partnership to the opposition, in the spirit of reconciliation and national progress, he enjoined all political leaders to collectively deepen democracy in the country in the overriding interest of continued peace, political stability and progress in their country.
“As President Mahama prepares to begin a complete term in office as leader of his country, President Jonathan assures him of the continued support, cooperation and goodwill of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria for his administration and the brotherly people of Ghana.”
In his own statement, Fayemi, speaking through a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, said that Mahama’s victory was evidence of the maturity of the Ghanaian voters.
He also said that the conduct of a peaceful, transparent and credible election devoid of violence in Ghana upheld the country as a model of democracy to other countries in Africa.