TheCable

President Bola Tinubu has commended President George Weah of Liberia for conceding defeat to Joseph Boakai, his opponent in the just-concluded Liberia presidential election.

On Friday evening, Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) said Boakai secured 50.89 percent of the votes, while Weah scored 49.11 percent.

Conceding election defeat, Weah described Boakai’s lead as “insurmountable”, and expressed his commitment to working with him for the betterment of Liberia.

Commenting in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, Tinubu commended Weah for “demonstrating uncommon leadership” by conceding the election and averting any form of socio-political crisis.

Tinubu said Weah’s great act of democratic sportsmanship is exemplary, particularly at this time in West Africa, when democracy is under attack by malign actors who are bent on subverting the will of the people.

“I commend President George Weah for his sterling example, undiluted patriotism, and statesmanship,” Tinubu said.

“He has defied the stereotype that peaceful transitions of power are untenable in West Africa.

“He has demonstrated that the outcome of elections in the sub-region need not become the propellant of violence and unrest and that the will of the people must always be respected.”

Tinubu also congratulated Boakai on his election as the president-elect of Liberia.

Tinubu urged the Liberian president-elect to unite the country and build on the popular support “expressed through the ballot box” to deliver good governance to the people.

He also congratulated the people of Liberia on the successful conduct of the presidential election and urged them to remain steadfast in the furtherance of peace and democracy.