UNITED States (U.S.) and France have commended Nigerians for their enthusiastic and peaceful participation in the presidential election, and congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan on his victory, pledging cooperation with him to move the nation forward.The development came as President Jonathan, on the Cable News Network (CNN), yesterday blamed the riots in the north on those he described as disgruntled people who were not happy with the outcome of the presidential polls. Jonathan who said the government is probing the violence to fish out the masterminds, pledged to do everything to preserve the countrys unity.French President, Nicolas Sarkozy and U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in separate statements made available to The Guardian by the U.S. and French missions in Nigeria yesterday, described the presidential election as an historic event, which marked a dramatic shift from decades of failed elections and a substantial improvement on the 2007 polls.Sarkozy, who wished President Jonathan the greatest success in fulfilling his mandate to Nigerians, assured that France is determined to provide him its full support for the ambitious project. He commended Jonathan over his commitment in the Ivoirien and Libyan crises management and urged closer cooperation in other global issues.Sarkozy said: Your role is essential, both within ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union (AU) and within the United Nations Security Council. On the occasion of your election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am pleased to send you my warmest congratulations.According all observers, the election of the 16th of April was an important step towards consolidating democracy and strengthening good governance in your country. I know you intend to transform Nigeria and I can assure you that France is determined to provide you its full support for this ambitious project.Finally, I wish to reiterate Frances commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with your country on the basis of agreements made during your predecessors visit in Paris in June 2008. Our next meeting in Deauville, on the 27th of May, at the G-8 Summit will be, I am sure, the opportunity to discuss the new development of our relations.For her part, Clinton, on behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the U.S., welcome the presidential election as a new beginning for Nigeria but condemned the violence in the north, calling on all parties to respect the results.Noting that while the election was a success for the people of Nigeria, it was far from perfect, the U.S. urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transparently review and take appropriate and transparent action on all allegations of under-age voters, violence and intimidation, ballot stuffing, and inordinately high turnout in some areas of the country. Clinton said her country condemned the acts of violence related to elections and urged all candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the results of the polls and channel any grievances or challenges peacefully through established, administrative and legal redress.She said the international community would closely watch the upcoming gubernatorial elections, urging all stakeholders in the country to support a credible and peaceful electoral process.The United States congratulates President Goodluck Jonathan on his election and wishes him well in meeting the many challenges facing Nigeria and in providing the good governance Nigerians deserve. This election represents a positive new beginning for Nigeria.We commend the INEC and its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, along with many others across government and civil society for their strong collaboration and dedication to democracy. They provided a real opportunity for the Nigerian people to select their most senior leaders and will position Nigeria to build its democracy through strong governance, transparent institutions, and economic development, Clinton said.
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