Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has hailed the sportsmanship of the prime minister of the republic of Benin, Mr Lionel Zinsou, for conceding defeat and congratulating the winner of the presidential polls.
Jonathan, who stated this on Tuesday in a Facebook posts also congratulated the winner of the presidential election, who he called ‘the choice of the people’, Mr. Patrice Talon.
The former Nigerian leader was also full of praise for the Beninoise people for their peaceful conducted at the polls and commended the general conduct of the elections, which he said was “adjudged peacefull, credible and transparent by local and international observers”.
He said, “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. 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.
