Buhari deserves unalloyed cooperation, support- Jonathan

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged Nigerians to cooperate, support and show understanding in all situations to the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for the progress of the country.

Mr. Jonathan, who made the call at the Presidential inaugural dinner in Abuja, said the incoming administration deserved the support because Nigerians irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds belong to “one strong family”.

He said for the country to make steady progress, Nigerians must all work together at all levels regardless of the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

He, therefore, called on the incoming Mr. Buhari’s administration to pursue programmes and policies meant to promote national unity and rapid development of the country.

The president described the emergence of Akinwumi Adesina as President of African Development Bank (AfDB) as a well deserved parting gift to him.

He, therefore, thanked all African leaders for making it possible for Nigeria to preside over the bank for the first time since its inception.

In her remarks at the occasion, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, assured the Nigeria’s President-elect, Muhammadu Bahari, of the Union’s support.

Ms. Zuma, who also congratulated President Jonathan for his statesmanship during and after the election, described him as a “statesman not in age but in status’’.

“Nigerians, you did us proud because if things go well in Nigeria they will go well in our continent,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the President of the ECOWAS commission, Kadré Ouédraogo, thanked the people and government of Nigeria for ensuring peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

He described the exercise as Nigeria’s greatest contribution to ECOWAS.

Mr. Ouédraogo also commended Nigeria’s effort in tackling the spread of Ebola virus across the sub-region as well as the political crises in Guinea Bissau, Mali and other ECOWAS countries.

At the event, the Vice-President elect, Yemi Osinbajo, was conferred with the medal of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger by President Jonathan.