Prez. Mahama commends Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat

Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President John Mahama has commended Nigeria’s outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for peacefully conceding defeat in the just ended elections.

President Mahama described the gesture as a great show of statesmanship.

President Mahama made these remarks when he met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Palace in Abuja.

Addressing the media after the closed-door meeting, President Mahama, said the International community and indeed ECOWAS is proud of Nigeria and looking forward to a smooth transition.

“We all knew that he congratulated president-elect, Buhari after the election results,” Mahama indicated adding that because of the act, President Goodluck Jonathan has gained the respect of all not only Nigerians “but also the respect of the international community for what he did.”

Transition

President Mahama called for a peaceful and “smooth transition” of power adding that “considering the role that Nigeria plays in ECOWAS and we expect that Nigeria will continue to play this prominent role in the ECOWAS sub region.”

President Mahama later on met with President-elect of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari and congratulated him on behalf of the sub regional body.

The ECOWAS chair then asked other African countries to emulate the Nigerian example of conducting peaceful and credible elections.

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey & Raymond Acquah