President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have extended their congratulatory messages to John Dramani Mahama on his victory in Ghana’s December 7 presidential election.
This was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy/Coordinator, media team, Bayo Onanuga.
The statement partly read: “In a telephone call to Mahama, President Tinubu hoped that Mahama’s ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which President Tinubu is the chairman.
“President Tinubu commended the people of Ghana for their commitment to democracy, which was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
“He applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa.
“He affirmed that Nigeria’s and the region’s belief in the principles of the people’s right to choose their leaders freely will remain a source of pride.”
The Nigerian leader, the statement further added, applauded the candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghana’s Electoral Commission.
President Tinubu said Bawumia’s stance reinforced Ghana’s democratic ethos.
President Tinubu noted that President-elect Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflected the Ghanaian people’s trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.
Mahama served as Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009, and held deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001.
President Tinubu renewed his steadfast support for deepening the fraternal bonds between Nigeria and Ghana, underpinned by shared history, cultural ties, mutual support and cooperation, Pan-African goals, democracy, the rule of law, and economic integration.
The Nigerian leader thanked President Nana Akufo-Addo for his exemplary leadership and numerous contributions to Ghana’s progress and regional peace and stability.
“The President looks forward to working with President Mahama’s incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West Africa region,” it added.
INEC chair highlights key lessons from Nigeria
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, commended Ghana’s electoral process on Sunday, highlighting its innovations and political stability as key factors in the smooth conduct of its 2024 presidential election.
Yakubu, who monitored the election, shared his thoughts in a short video, praising the perseverance of both the main opposition candidate, a former vice president, and the incumbent President, Nana Akufo-Addo, who had contested multiple elections before achieving success.
“Rarely in Ghana do you see people moving from one party to another with every general election. That is important,” he noted.
He also pointed out a significant lesson Ghana had learned from Nigeria regarding the management of constituency election results. Prior to Ghana’s last election, all results were sent to the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra, including both parliamentary and presidential results.
“Although Ghana is not a federal system, they learned from Nigeria, where returning officers announce results for parliamentary elections in constituencies across the country. Only the presidential election results are sent to Accra.”
Yakubu explained, “This is what we have done in Nigeria, and Ghana borrowed a leaf from us. This is the second time they have implemented this approach, which is why, as you can see, the declaration of the presidential election result was much faster than in previous years.”
ECOWAS congratulates Mahama and the people of Ghana
Speaking on the election, the President, Economic Community of West African States Commission, Dr Omar Touray, on Sunday, extended congratulations to the people of Ghana for conducting successful presidential elections on December 7, 2024.
Touray commended the democratic maturity displayed throughout the electoral process and praised the smooth transition of power.
He congratulated Ghana’s ex-president, John Mahama, on his electoral victory and lauded Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his statesmanship in conceding defeat promptly.
“The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr Omar Touray, congratulates the Ghanaian people on their successful and generally peaceful elections.
“The president of the commission also congratulates His Excellency, John Mahama on his victory.
“The president equally commends Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his timely concession, which demonstrates his statesmanship and love for country,” a statement from the commission read.
