Taylor, Tipoteh Congratulate Obasanjo

President Charles Ghankay Taylor has sent a message of congratulations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olesegun Obasanjo on the auspicious occasion marking his election to another term as president of that country.

In the message to his dear friend and brother, President Taylor extended warmest congratulations to President Obasanjo and the partisans of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as well as the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the overwhelming support given him, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in his own name.

President Taylor said the re-election of President Obasanjo demonstrates that Africans too are capable of maintaining democratic values, noting that he has no doubt that as President Obasanjo begins another tenure, he will work to reconcile his people.

President Taylor then assured President Obasanjo of his cooperation and support for the further enhancement of the bilateral ties and cooperation existing between Nigeria and Liberia, the maintenance of peace and stability in the West African sub-region as well as for the realization of the objectives of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

In a related development, Dr. Togbah-Nah Tipoteh, presidential aspirant of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) has congratulated President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his re-election to a second four-year term.

In his congratulatory fax sent yesterday, Dr. Tipoteh spoke of the historic relevance of the victory for Africa, as it marked the first time in 20 years that a civilian regime has supervised a successful election, an LPP release said.

While there are some reports of unfair practices during the elections, Dr. Tipoteh noted in his message the overwhelming view of local and international monitors that the elections were for the most part free, fair, transparent and democratic.

Through President Obasanjo, Dr. Tipoteh also commended the people of Nigeria for their exemplary demonstration of maturity as seen in the nearly violence-free election.

Dr. Tipoteh observed that surely the people of Liberia will be inspired by the Nigeria elections and ensure that violence does not show its ugly head in the pending elections in Liberia.

Of particular usefulness, Dr. Tipoteh indicated in his message is the post-elections posture of Presidential candidate Mohamedu Buhari of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) who committed himself to non-violent act, but to the rule of law in seeking redress for what he considers to be electoral mal-practices.

In concluding his message to President Obasanjo, Presidential Aspirant Tipoteh wished the winning People’s Democratic Party (PDP) well as it continues to build a better future for Nigeria and Africa.