On Monday President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the President-elect of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, on his victory in the presidential election of August 12, 2021.
Buhari applauded the people of Zambia who came out in their numbers to exercise their civic rights, voting candidates of their choice, signposting that the prospect of a united, stable and prosperous Africa lies in the power of the people to freely elect their leaders.
He also commended President Edgar Lungu for accepting the outcome of the election and a peaceful transfer of power.
Buhari noted that their patriotic disposition deserves the praise of all lovers of democracy.
His message was confirmed in a statement sent to newsmen signed by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President.
Highlighting the close and historic relationship between Nigeria and Zambia, the Nigerian leader looked forward to working very closely with the Zambian President-elect for the peace, development and prosperity of both nations.
Also the former Nigerian President and former Chairman of the African Union (AU), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, after his victory in the general election at the weekend.
Obasanjo, in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, said Zambia must break the circle of previous presidents being disgraced or inhumanly treated by succeeding ones.
Obasanjo commended Zambians for keeping democracy alive, even as he charged Hichilema to be magnanimous in victory.
“I want to congratulate the newly elected President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema for his victory and also I want to congratulate the outgoing President for working hard to maintain the tenets of democracy by conceding, when the result is clear that Hichilema won.
“I also congratulate the people of Zambia for keeping democracy alive. I appeal to the new President to be magnanimous in victory and the people of Zambia should maintain the dignity and peace which we are all noted for in Africa.
“Zambia must break the circle of the previous President being disgraced, by inhumanly treated by the succeeding President,” he said.
