TheCable

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Bassirou Faye on his victory as Senegal’s president-elect.

Tinubu’s felicitations are contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson.

Although the official results are yet to be announced, tallies released so far predict a win for Faye.

Ahead of the declaration, opposition leaders, including Amadou Ba, former prime minister and the presidential candidate of the ruling coalition, and Senegalese citizens have congratulated 44-year-old Faye.

Tinubu said Faye has great promise and a sterling record and wished him success in his new role.

The president also congratulated Macky Sall, outgoing Senegalese leader, for overseeing an election widely adjudged as peaceful and transparent.

Senegal’s election was initially slated for February 25 before it was postponed by Sall — a development which led to unrest in the country.

The opposition viewed Sall’s action as an attempt to extend his stay in office beyond the constitutional limit, despite his promise not to run for a third term.

Tinubu said the success of the presidential election in Senegal and Liberia a few months ago has affirmed his long-held conviction that the taproot of democracy is deeply established in West Africa.

As chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the president said the successful conduct of the Senegal election is a boost to the sub-regional organisation in its efforts to promote peace and constitutional order, as well as strengthen ties among member states.

Tinubu congratulated the people of Senegal and assured them of Nigeria’s best wishes and support.