Buhari endorses new Guinea Bissau President Embalo

By Isa Isawade

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja endorsed the visiting President of Guinea Bissau, Oumarou Sissoco Embalo, who reportedly sworn in himself as president on 27 February after a disputed election.

In a press release signed on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President was quoted, while receiving the Guinean leader at the State House, as saying “It is good you have support of West African leaders, President of Senegal Macky Sall and that of Niger, Muhammadu Issoufou who is the Chairman of ECOWAS, behind you. Both leaders have the respect of their countries.

“We, the leaders of West Africa have the duty of ensuring that the sub-region is stabilised politically, economically and security wise. We will do our best to ensure that elections are free and fair and meet democratic expectations.”

Buhari, therefore, advised President Embalo to always be mindful of his country’s national interest.

“In these days of high-tech communications, information travels very fast. Be mindful of national interest which is often reflected in economic and political matters,” he said.

He further assured Embalo of Nigeria’s support and congratulated him on coming “through the difficult process leading to his victory and inauguration as President”.

On his own, President Embalo said he had come to Nigeria to express his country’s deep appreciation for the support it got in what he described as “our most difficult moment”, praising Nigeria’s role in the region as well as in global politics.

He urged President Buhari to continue to ensure survival of democracy in the sub-region.

Embalo assured his host that the controversy surrounding his election had been laid to rest by decision of the country’s courts to give legitimacy to his victory, adding that he now had the support of virtually all political forces in Guinea Bissau.