Benin President Lauds Jonathan’s Handling of Elections
Visits Buhari, pledges support for Nigeria
Onyebuchi Ezigbo Andrews
Jaiyeola President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, yesterday lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for the way he handled the general election adjudged globally as peaceful.
Yayi, who paid a congratulatory visit to Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, told State House correspondents after their meeting that Jonathan’s contribution to the development of democracy in Africa was indelible.
According to Yayi, Jonathan had been playing a leadership role in Africa by mediating in the restoration of peace in Mali, Guinea Bissau, Cote d’ Ivoire, among others countries.
“I came to congratulate my brother, President Jonathan. He is a very great statesman; he organised the elections peacefully in the largest country in Africa.
“To us, the election was very transparent and peaceful and coming back, he took a wonderful decision by a great statesman by calling his challenger to congratulate him even before the final results were released.
“Usually, in Africa, it is rare. He gave us very good example of democracy, not only in our subregion, but also in Africa and the whole world at large.
“My brother, we like to congratulate you on behalf of other colleagues in the sub region. He is a great statesman. He successfully managed and led Nigeria to fight Boko Haram insurgents. It was not easy. “Nigeria is a strong country, being able to set the pace in West Africa. Nigeria is great country and Jonathan is a great president. Nigeria has been the first economic power in Africa. It is not easy.
“I will like to thank him because I’m the President of Benin Republic and we depend on Nigeria. What he did here is of immense benefit to us,” Yayi said.
He added that Nigeria had been of immense benefit to all countries in Africa, especially its leadership role in ECOWAS and African Union.
“Nigeria’s decision did help all of us, all the countries of ECOWAS, it played key leadership role to resolve the problem in Mali, Guinea Bissau; everywhere. To us, we cannot forget our brother, President Jonathan,” the Benin Republic president said.
Yayi, who also met with the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Defence House in Abuja, pledge to support Nigeria to achieve peace in the country.
He said his country would back the quest for sub-regional peace and stability under the leadership of Nigeria.
He described Buhari as a man of great experience and integrity, adding that he would bring his experience to bear on governance, added that his country shares a lot with Nigeria culturally and geographically.
The president promised that Benin would always be by the side of a great Nigeria and would support Nigeria’s incoming administration after his inauguration.
“Fifty five per cent of the population in Benin Republic come from Nigeria, you know I am at home here, so just remind you that my brothers and sisters of Nigeria I have recently chosen my senior, President Buhari as the President for his integrity, his experience as a former head of state of the great Nigeria.
“I recognise the President of Nigeria, Benin Republic is the 37th state of Nigeria, and Nigeria is the seventh department of Benin Republic. “His ability to take up challenges that Nigeria and the sub-region is seen today, Boko Haram issue, peace issue, the enforcement of ECOWAS issue, Nigeria , our sub region, Nigeria economy as the engine of the sub-region economy.
“Mr. president-elect, let me tell you that you are an able man, may God Almighty guide your steps, so that your mandate will be successful not only for the good of Nigeria, but our sub region, our continent and our world.
“I have come to convey the congratulations of Benin to the president and president-elect. Benin Republic and Nigeria are very close.
“In the area of culture and tradition, the two countries are together. As you know, I am sure that our president-elect granted me the same solicitations given his mandate.”
Buhari while expressing gratitude to he visiting president for identifying with Nigeria, said the country considers collaboration in the area of economy and security very important.
“Being so close a neighbour and with the ethnic and cultural affiliations which he identified is making it easy for Nigeria especially on the security aspect.
“He has identified himself and his country with our major problem, which is the security challenges in the North-east and Boko Haram and he has voluntarily identified himself with the sub region of Chad basin and being part of them in trying to stamp out the insurgency in the North-east which Nigeria is taking the biggest punishment so to speak in terms of the security and how it affects commerce and industry,” he said.