Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma will on Thursday depart for Nigeria to attend the inauguration of that country’s newly elected leader, Muhammadu Buhari.
”In his congratulatory message, President Zuma expressed his commitment to working closely with president-elect Buhari to enhance the good bilateral relations which exist between South Africa and Nigeria, paying particular focus on the strengthening of economic cooperation,” the presidency said in a statement.
”President Zuma also congratulated the people of Nigeria for conducting a peaceful, transparent, credible, free and fair election as declared by the Independent National Election Commission of Nigeria.”
Buhari, 72, received 15.42 million votes during the country’s general elections in March. Outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan received 12.85 million votes.
Buhari governed Nigeria as a military ruler from 1983 to 1985, and is the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition.
Jonathan, 57, of the People’s Democratic Party, took over as president in 2010.
Buhari’s inauguration will take place in Abuja on Friday.
ANA