President Bola Tinubu on Saturday commended Liberian President, George Weah, for demonstrating uncommon leadership by conceding the election and averting any form of socio-political crisis in the just-concluded Presidential Election.
This was as he congratulated 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.
According to a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu also felicitated the people of Liberia on the successful conduct of the election.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu congratulates Liberians and commends President Weah’s leadership following the presidential election.’
Tinubu said 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.
The statement read, “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,” the President stated
President Tinubu thanked the people of Liberia for peacefully exercising their rights and implored them to remain steadfast in the furtherance of peace and democracy.
Earlier on Saturday, local media reported that President Weah was defeated in the second round of voting in his country’s presidential election held on Tuesday.
With 99.58 per cent of votes from the country’s 5,890 polling places counted it was evident that former Vice President Joseph Boakai and candidate of the Unity Party had taken the lead.
Mr Boakai has so far polled 814,212 votes of the total 1,625,684 votes, compared to Weah’s 785,778 running on the governing party, Coalition for Democracy Change.