By Abraham Olatokunbo
Former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has congratulated the President-Elect of Zambia, former opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema for his victory at the just concluded polls.
In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan praised Hakainde Hichilema for his perseverance in his pursuit of his legitimate political aspiration, adding that his victory in the wake of five failed attempts, showed that the people’s trust in him was genuine and steadfast.
Dr. Jonathan who is currently the Chairperson of International Summit for Peace Council (ISCP) Africa, and Chairman of ECOWAS Council of the Wise also commended the Zambia’s outgoing President, Mr. Edgar Lungu for accepting the outcome of the elections and congratulating Mr. Hichilema, who was his opponent at the polls.
While commending the people of Zambia for trooping out massively to participate in the election as well as conducting themselves in a peaceful manner, Jonathan, commended the President-Elect for pledging not to engage in vengeance but to pursue the course of progress and development of the country.
In the goodwill message to the President-elect, the former President wrote: “I write to sincerely congratulate you on your victory at the just concluded Presidential election in your country.
“That you won this election after five unsuccessful attempts is a clear testament to your tenacity, conviction, and commitment to contribute to the development of Zambia and the prosperity of her people.
“I recall that in your last contest for this position, you lost the election by a narrow margin. As the Head of the African Union Observer Mission, I was impressed by your show of patriotism and good conduct, during the 2016 elections.”
Dr. Jonathan further urged Mr. Hichilema to “continue to be magnanimous and focus your attention on the provision of good governance for the development of Zambia and the welfare of your people.”
In a separate letter to President Lungu, the former President commended him for conducting the kind of credible elections that has put Zambia on the map of African nations where democracy has taken root.
He said: “It is also a thing of pride and an enduring legacy to have conducted such a credible election that was won by the opposition, which is an evidence of how fair and transparent the electoral process has become under your watch.
“You have, therefore, contributed immensely to the deepening of democracy not only in Zambia but also in Africa.”
