President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan returned to Abuja on Monday after the burial rites of his younger brother, Chief Meni Innocent Jonathan in Otuoke, Bayelsa State at the weekend.
A statement by Reuben Abati,special adviser to the president (media and publicity) said “On behalf of the entire Jonathan family, President Jonathan wishes to convey his immense thanks and appreciation to all Nigerians and friends of the country who showed sympathy and solidarity with him and members of his family as they mourned and buried the late Chief Meni Jonathan.”
“The President wishes to particularly thank former Heads of State, State Governors, the entire leadership of the National Assembly, foreign Heads of State and Government, Diplomatic Representatives, members of professional and non-governmental organizations and ordinary Nigerians who either traveled to Otuoke for the burial ceremonies or commiserated with the family in other ways,”Abati said
Jonathan prayed “that God Almighty will bless and reward them all for their love, kindness and sympathy which has helped to assuage the grief and pain of his family over the loss of a beloved brother.”
Also in another statement by his spokesman,President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated President John Mahama of Ghana on his victory in last weekend’s presidential elections in Ghana.
Jonathan said he welcomes President Mahama’s success in securing his people’s mandate for a full term in office, following his assumption of Presidential powers after the death of his predecessor in July 2012, as an endorsement by the Ghanaian electorate of his leadership and his party’s action plan for further socio-economic development and continued consolidation of democracy in the country.
Nigeria’s president noted that the very keenly contested elections have been adjudged as free and fair by observers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international observers. “The President on behalf of himself, the Government and people of Nigeria salutes the people of Ghana for the successful conduct of the polls”Abati said.
While calling on the victorious candidate and political party to extend a hand of partnership to the opposition, in the spirit of reconciliation and national progress, Jonathan enjoined all political leaders in Ghana to join hands with the government to collectively deepen democracy in the country in the overriding interest of continued peace, political stability and progress in their country.
“As President Mahama prepares to begin a complete term in office as leader of his country, President Jonathan assures him of the continued support, cooperation and goodwill of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria for his administration and the brotherly people of Ghana,the presidential statement said,concluding that “President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to work and collaborate with President Mahama and his administration at bilateral and multilateral levels on issues of common interest to Nigeria and Ghana.”
