President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Joe Biden on winning US elections

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who spends weeks in addressing serious issues in his country has quickly congratulated Joe Biden after he emerged winner of US elections over Donald Trump.

At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, Buhari was ‘begged’ before he came out to address Nigerians. During the recent #EndSARS protests, he took weeks to come out to address the nation.

So it’s quite surprising that he has swiftly come out to congratulate a President of another country this quickly.

In an Instagram post, Buhari wrote:

“Congratulations to US President-Elect Joe Biden on his election at a time of uncertainty and fear in world affairs. His election is a reminder that democracy is the best form of government because it offers the people the opportunity to change their government by peaceful means.

In a democracy, the most powerful group are not the politicians, but voters who can decide the fate of the politicians at the polling booth. The main fascination of democracy is the freedom of choice and the supremacy of the will of the people.

Respect for the will of the people is the very reason why democracy remains the best form of government, despite its limitations from one polity to another, and from one society to another.

President-Elect Biden’s remarkable track record gives us hope that he will add value to the presidency and world affairs. We look forward to greater cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, especially at economic, diplomatic, political and security levels.

I urge Mr. Biden to deploy his vast experience in tackling the negative consequences of nationalist politics on world affairs—which have created divisions and uncertainties—and to introduce greater engagement with Africa on the basis of reciprocal respect and shared interests.”