Politics
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari says the outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou of the Republic of Niger and his government deserve accolades for keeping scrupulously to their country’s Constitution with respect to run-off polls scheduled for Feb. 21, 2021.
The President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement explained that Buhari said this on Thursday at State House, Abuja, when he received in the audience former Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo.
Sambo is the ECOWAS Head of Mission on the elections in the Niger Republic.
Buhari congratulated Sambo on the first round of the elections, which produced no clear winner, thus compelling a run-off set for Feb. 21, as prescribed by the Constitution of the country.
While noting that Niger was Nigeria’s very close neighbor, the president said the peace of the country must matter to Nigeria.
“Neighborliness, whether national or individual, is very important, as the peace of your neighbor, or lack of it, may also affect your own well-being,” he added.
He wished the Republic of Niger, Sambo and his team-best of luck, as the run-off polls hold over the weekend.
The ECOWAS Head of Mission said campaigns had been peaceful thus far, as the contending political parties seal deals and alliances for outright victory.
In the first round of the election, Mohamed Bazoum, former Minister of Interior and Foreign Affairs led with 39.33 percent of the vote compared to former president Mahamane Ousmane who polled 17 percent, both scores falling short of the required 50 percent for an outright presidential victory. (NAN)
Feb. 17, 2021 @ 16:09 GMT
Tags: Buhari praises outgoing Nigerien Govt. for adhering to Constitution on run-off polls
