The Vice-President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai, has said that the peaceful transition achieved by Nigeria in 2015 was a significant milestone that will remain a talking point for a long time to come.
Speaking with State House correspondents after visiting Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, Boakai urged African countries to emulate the level of selflessness and patriotism that the major actors put in place during and after the election.
Boakai added that Nigeria had made a statement that it was possible for a sitting leader to lose election and peacefully handover power to an opposition party.
“The transition was free and fair and there is peace in the country. “We believe this is the way that African countries should begin to conduct business.
“I think our people are tired of conflicts.We want development and that is what we should be doing’’.
Boakai confirmed that he would be running for his country’s presidency in the next election and expressed the hope that Nigeria would play vital role in ensuring peaceful and credible polls in Liberia.
“I am a candidate and I can say that because for the first time in the history of our country an incumbent president has now turned the “flag-bearer ship’’ to a Vice President who is contending.
“Nigeria will be so much involved. We know that for Africa now, we are looking forward to good governance, free and fair election. “We want peaceful and stable Africa and so whatever we do have to move toward that,’’ he said.
Boakai said his visit to his Nigerian counterpart was an expression of friendship and brotherhood as well as an honour as both of them had met many times in the past outside the shores of both countries.
“It was a very good meeting because the Vice President and I have met outside Liberia on many occasions. “And this time around to visit him here is an honour and it is an expression of friendship and brotherhood,’’ he said.
