The Chinese government have congratulated President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory in the February 25, 2023, presidential election in Nigeria.
Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement said China believes that Nigeria will achieve new and greater progress in national development under Tinubu’s presidency.
The statement notes that China is ready to work with Tinubu’s government to strengthen exchange and cooperation in various sectors and elevate China-Nigeria’s strategic partnership to a new height.
The statement reads in part, “We extend our sincere congratulations to Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his election as Nigeria’s president. We believe that under his leadership, Nigeria will achieve new and greater progress in national development.
“Nigeria is our important strategic partner in Africa. In recent years, China-Nigeria relations have seen rapid growth and practical cooperation in various fields has been fruitful, delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples.
“China is ready to work with the new Nigerian government, strengthen exchange and cooperation in various sectors, and elevate China-Nigeria strategic partnership to a new height.”
Tinubu, a former Lagos state governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of last Saturday’s election by Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 6,984,520 votes.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 6,101,533 votes while Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) came fourth after securing 1,496,687 votes.
Tinubu is expected to be sworn in as Nigeria’s 6th Executive President on May 29, 2023, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari who is serving his second and last term in office.
