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TONY Blair, a former British prime minister, said that Nigeria’s peaceful elections and transition of power have earned the country international respect throughout the whole world.

Speaking shortly after a meeting with General Muhammadu Buhari, president-elect, Blair said Nigeria’s image had gone up since the last election, especially with the clear signs of a peaceful transition by May 29.

Blair, however, assured Buhari of the goodwill and support of the international community to help Nigeria based on the peaceful transition of power. “There is enormous support for Nigeria now in the international community. The support takes into consideration the challenges that lie ahead and there is great confidence in the country,” Blair said.

While reminding the president-elect of the challenges that lie ahead, the former British prime minister expressed the hope that if the government could maintain the same momentum of goodwill that guided the election, then the country was sure of surmounting any difficulty in the coming years.

“Obviously, the future and destiny of Nigeria lies in the hands of its people. I just want to say to the president-elect that there is tremendous support for you and the country at this moment and all of us, in whatever way we can stand ready to support you and help you.

“It is a moment of great challenges which borders on the life of the people as well as their security and so on. If the same spirit and character that defined the election can be taken through these coming years to address the challenges, I think we can all have great confidence in the times ahead,” he said.

In his short remark, Buhari commended the United States and “other Western nations for making it possible for Nigeria to conduct a free, fair and credible election.”

—  May 25, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT

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