Ex-president praises Benin Republic PM for following in his footsteps

Jonathan also commended the people of Benin republic for conducting themselves in an orderly manner during the polls.

“Having followed the elections in the Republic of Benin very closely, I am very impressed with the orderly manner with which the administration of President Boni Yayi conducted those polls,” Jonathan said according to The Cable.

“They were adjudged peaceful, credible and transparent by local and international observers and President Yayi deserves commendation for providing the leadership that led to this outcome.

“I also congratulate the people of the Republic of Benin for their role in the election and for showing the world that the Republic of Benin and its citizens have come of age in the practice of democracy.

“I especially wish to appreciate the incumbent Prime Minister of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Lionel Zinsou, who was a candidate for President, for his exemplary conduct of conceding defeat and congratulating the choice of the people, Mr. Patrice Talon, on his victory at the polls.

“Such a gesture by Prime Minister Zinsou is rare and should be applauded by all statesmen as the highest display of patriotism and maturity. Finally, I congratulate Mr. Patrice Talon on his victory and wish him a successful and peaceful tenure after his swearing-in, even as I urge that there should be no victor or vanquished in this process.

“All the Beninoise people are winners and have cause to be proud of their nation,” he added.

The former president earned widespread accolade after conceding defeat to successor, President Muhammadu Buhari, thus preventing Nigeria from erupting into massive waves of electoral violence which many around the world had predicted would occur.

He was recently chosen to head a Commonwealth observer mission for the Tanzania elections and was also called upon to intervene in Zanzibar’s political stalemate.

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