France, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other nations have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election.
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin, the UK Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in separate congratulatory messages, expressed the hope Buhari’s victory “will shape the destiny of this nation for the upcoming four years and beyond.”
On its part, the French Ministry wrote, “France congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election on February 23.
It will continue to stand by Nigeria and to provide its full support for the implementation of the country’s priorities, especially economic diversification, job creation, counter-terrorism and the fight against corruption.”
Shebarshin wrote, “I am honoured to extend my congratulations to you personally, Mr President, and the people of Nigeria on the successful conduct of free, transparent and credible Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 23, 2019, that will shape the destiny of this nation for the upcoming four years and beyond.”
The UK’s minister stated, “I offer my congratulations to President Buhari on securing a second term as the Nigerian President. The UK is a long-standing friend and partner of Nigeria and the Nigerian people, and a stable and prosperous Nigeria benefits Africa and the world.”
Congratulatory messages also came in from the Presidents of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
Also, Saudi Arabia King, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on Thursday congratulated Buhari on his re-election victory at Saturday’s presidential poll.
Buhari, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, also received a similar message from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,
While the Saudi king called Buhari on the telephone, the Qatari monarch sent a cable message to Buhari.
