President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, congratulated President-elect John Mahama on his victory in the December 7 general election in Ghana.
This came after his rival, the country’s vice president and ruling party candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat on Sunday.
Bawumia said he conceded defeat before the official results to ease tensions after reported fights in several local constituencies.
Although the Electoral Commission has yet to announce the results, Bawumia’s ruling National Democratic Congress said its internal review showed Mahama leading with 56.3 per cent of the vote against its 41.3 per cent.
A statement signed on Sunday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said, “In a telephone call to Mahama, President Tinubu hoped that Mahama’s ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States, of which President Tinubu is the chairman.”
The statement was titled, ‘Ghana: President Tinubu congratulates President-Elect John Mahama in a telephone call.’
President Tinubu commended the people of Ghana for their commitment to democracy, which was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
“He applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa.
“He affirmed that Nigeria’s and the region’s belief in the principles of the people’s right to choose their leaders freely will remain a source of pride.
“The Nigerian leader applauded the candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party, the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghana’s Electoral Commission,” Onanuga revealed.
President Tinubu said Bawumia’s stance reinforced Ghana’s democratic ethos.
He noted that President-elect Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflects the Ghanaian people’s trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.
Mahama served as Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, a member of parliament from 1997 to 2009, and held deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001.
Tinubu said he looked forward to working with President Mahama’s incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West Africa region.
Also, the President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, has extended congratulations to the people of Ghana for conducting successful and generally peaceful presidential elections on December 7, 2024.
Touray commended the democratic maturity displayed throughout the electoral process and praised the smooth transition of power.
He congratulated Ghana’s former president, Mahama, on his electoral victory and lauded Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his statesmanship in conceding defeat promptly.
“The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr Omar Touray, congratulates Ghanaian people on their successful and generally-peaceful elections.
“The President of the Commission also congratulates His Excellency John Mahama on his victory.
“The President equally commends Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his timely concession, which demonstrates his statesmanship and love for country,” a statement from the commission read on Sunday.
In a similar vein, former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, congratulated Ghana’s President-elect on his victory in the country’s recent general elections.
In a statement, Dr. Fayemi also commended Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the incumbent New Patriotic Party, for his gracious concession speech, noting that “his acceptance of the electoral outcome in the spirit of peace and national unity exemplifies the very best of African political leadership.’’
Fayemi said: “As a friend to both men and a committed advocate of democratic principles across Africa, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the President-elect of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, on his resounding victory in the recently concluded general elections. This triumph reflects the trust and confidence the people of Ghana have in his leadership and vision for their country.
‘’I equally commend Dr. Mahamamudu Bawumia, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, for his gracious concession speech. His acceptance of the electoral outcome in the spirit of peace and national unity exemplifies the very best of African political leadership.
‘’Dr. Bawumia’s decision to place the interest of Ghana above personal ambition reinforces the values of democracy and demonstrates a maturity that will undoubtedly serve as a model for political actors across the continent.
“As Africans, we must draw lessons from Ghana’s example. The supremacy of the people’s will is the cornerstone of democracy and the desire to serve must always align with the mandate freely given by the electorate, not through coercion or manipulation.”
