Focus on challenges ahead, EU protectorate tells Buhari

The European Union and France have congratulated the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and challenged him to focus on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The High Representative and EU Vice-President, Federica Mogherini in a statement on Wednesday on the presidential elections in Nigeria, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his great contribution to building the country and to consolidating its democracy over the past five years.

The VP said the EU looks forward to working with Buhari and his government in the future.

She acknowledged the candidates that have conceded defeat gracefully and urged those  who wish to contest the results to do so through the appropriate procedures.

Mogherini said the EU Election Monitoring Mission would remain to monitor the governorship elections on April, 11  “which it is hoped will be conducted in the same peaceful and democratic spirit.”

She said, “Nigerians can now look forward to focusing on the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of the country. The European Union has been a close partner for Nigeria over the past 50 years, and will continue to support its development and to share its values in promoting peace, prosperity and democracy on the continent and in the world.”

President of the Republic of France, Francois Hollande, who  also congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his election as President of Nigeria, welcomed the commitment of Nigerians and the quality of work of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

A statement from the French Embassy  in Abuja on Wednesday , said that Hollande would speak with  Buhari on Thursday, adding that the French government intends to establish with him the trustful relations it had with President  Jonathan.

Meanwhile, the Head of ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, former Ghanaian President John Kufuor and his colleagues from the African Union and the Commonwealth have congratulated Nigeria’s National Peace Committee for its work.

They called on Nigerians to carry through the entire electoral process the maturity and discipline displayed during the presidential and federal legislative elections.