By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Former federal lawmaker that represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to the outcome of the Presidential election in Senegal, saying that the victory of opposition candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye has cast a positive light on West Africa.
Shehu Sani said the triumph of democracy in that country is a glimmer of hope in a region bedevilled by Military coups and possessed by the evils of controversial elections.
The Human Rights crusader declared that the struggle, the Spirit and the tenacity of the people of Senegal is inspiring. Adding that history may be kind to the outgoing President Macky Sall; as a man who autocratically and desperately worked against democracy but later succumbed to it and midwifed a credible election.
He also appreciate the patriotism and the democratic spirit of the man who lost the election, Amadou Ba for congratulating the winner.
Sundiata Post recalls that the ruling party candidate, Amadou Ba has contacted presumptive winner Bassirou Diomaye Faye to acknowledge his victory in Senegal’s presidential election.
Recall that Amadou Ba, the candidate for Senegal’s ruling coalition, has been defeated in the just concluded presidential election. To acknowledge the victory of the opposition candidate in Sunday’s presidential election, Ba contacted Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Monday.
In a statement on Monday, Ba said,”Considering the trends of the presidential election results and awaiting the official declaration, I congratulate the president Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye on his victory in the first round.”
Supporters of the opposition parties have been rejoicing in the streets around the nation since the polls closed on Sunday night, even though the vote count is still ongoing and the results are not expected until later this week.
A candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes in the first round to win, otherwise, there is a runoff.
However, supporters of the opposition claim that there is no disputing the preliminary trends, which rules out a runoff election.
In spite of their misgivings about possible turmoil, voters have nevertheless complimented the election’s orderly conduct. Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the popular opposition, was jailed last year, which sparked fatal riots in the months before the election.
Meanwhile, 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye was named the country’s next president on Monday, less than two weeks after being released from prison to run in the election.
Faye, who was supported by popular opposition leader Ousman Sonko, has vowed to improve Senegal’s control over its natural resources by promoting national companies to prevent the country from falling into what his campaign called “economic enslavement.”
Sundiata Post recalls that this marks Senegal’s fourth democratic transfer of power since gaining independence more than sixty years ago.
Democracy has triumphed in Senegal. The victory of the opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has cast a positive light on West Africa. Its a glimmer of hope in a region bedevilled by Military coups and possessed by the evils of controversial elections.The struggle, the Spirit and the tenacity of the people of Senegal is inspiring. History may be kind to the outgoing President Macky Sall; as a man who autocratically and desperately worked against democracy but later succumbed to it and midwifed a credible election.We should also appreciate the patriotism and the democratic spirit of the man who lost the election, Amadou Ba for congratulating the winner.
