- President Bola Tinubu congratulates Ghana’s president-elect John Mahama on his victory at the polls on Saturday, December 7
- Tinubu then commended Vice President Bawumia for his statesmanlike concession
- Other leaders, including ECOWAS President Omar Touray and former Ekiti Governor Fayemi, applaud Ghana’s peaceful elections, highlighting Bawumia's acceptance and Mahama's win
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Ghanaian President John Mahama on his victory in the December 7 general election, following Mahama’s successful bid for a second term in office.
Mahama’s win was confirmed after his main rival, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat to ease tensions following reported clashes in several constituencies.
Bawumia, the candidate from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), announced his concession despite the official results yet to be declared by Ghana’s Electoral Commission.
His concession came after the party’s internal review showed Mahama leading with 56.3% of the vote, compared to Bawumia’s 41.3%.
In a statement issued on Sunday, December 8, by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his hopes for Mahama’s second term to bring greater stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where President Tinubu currently serves as chairman.
During a phone call with President-elect Mahama, President Tinubu praised the people of Ghana for their commitment to democracy, which was clearly demonstrated through the peaceful conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections.
He commended Ghanaians for once again showing the world that democracy remains the preferred path for achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria's and the region’s belief in the principles of the people's right to freely elect their leaders.
Tinubu also lauded Dr. Bawumia for his statesmanship in conceding defeat, which he described as a reflection of Ghana's democratic ethos.
He noted that Mahama’s return to the presidency demonstrates the trust Ghanaians have in his leadership and vision for the country’s future.
International reactions to Ghana’s election
The president of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, also extended his congratulations to the people of Ghana for their peaceful election process. Touray praised the smooth transition of power and commended both Mahama for his victory and Bawumia for his prompt and statesmanlike concession.
In a similar gesture, former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi congratulated Mahama on his electoral success and applauded Bawumia for his magnanimous acceptance of the result. Fayemi highlighted the significance of Bawumia’s action, noting that it exemplified the highest standards of political leadership in Africa.
Fayemi urged African leaders to draw inspiration from Ghana’s peaceful election and the supremacy of the people's will, emphasising that true democratic values must always align with the electorate’s mandate.
As Mahama prepares for his second term in office, his victory stands as a testament to the trust and confidence the Ghanaian people place in his leadership. The election process has been widely regarded as a demonstration of democratic maturity, with both candidates showing respect for the will of the people.
This election is expected to serve as a model for future democratic processes across Africa.
FG, Morocco, ECOWAS drive $26bn African gas pipeline initiative
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project, a transformative initiative estimated to cost $26 billion.
The project aimed to connect at least 13 countries and enhance regional economic growth.
