President Buhari joins as world leaders pour in their congratulatory messages to Trump

Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday joined world leaders to congratulate Donald Trump following his victory over opponent Hillary Clinton at the just concluded US presidential election.

In the message  script read by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari congratulated Mr. Trump and showed optimism for US and Nigeria’s future bilateral relationship and cooperation.

The statements read as follows:

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates President-elect, Donald Trump, on his victory in the United States presidential election.

“President Buhari also congratulates American citizens on the outcome of the election, which was keenly observed by all true lovers of democracy and those who believe in the will of the people.

“The President looks forward to working together with President-elect Trump to strengthen the already established friendly relations between both countries, including cooperation on many shared foreign policy priorities, such as the fight against terrorism, peace and security, economic growth, democracy and good governance.

“As Mr. Trump prepares to assume the position of the President of the United States, President Buhari extends his good wishes to him on the onerous task of leading the world’s strongest economy.”

Australia

Mr Turnbull said America has “no stronger ally” than Australia.

“Australians have been confronted by the intensity of the political battle in the US,” he said.

“The bond between our two nations, our shared common interests, our shared national interests, are so strong, are so committed that we’ll continue to work with our friends in the United States through the Trump administration.”

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has also commented, highlighting the impact Mr Trumps election will have on Australia.

“Every time the people of the United States choose a new president, it has consequences for the world — and for Australia,” Mr Shorten wrote.

Mexico

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto congratulated the US on its election — though not directly winner Donald Trump, who alarmed many by describing Mexican migrants as murderers and rapists.

Mr Pena Nieto sent a series of tweets in Spanish repeating his readiness to work with Trump “in favour of the bilateral relationship.”

He said Mexico and the US “are friends, partners and allies who should continue collaborating for the competitiveness and development of North America.”

The value of Mexico’s peso currency plunged sharply after the election of Trump, who has denounced the North American Free Trade Agreement that has led to billions of dollars in trade between the two nations.

Mexican Treasury Secretary Jose Antonio Meade held a news conference Wednesday morning, urging against “premature reactions.” He said the election result won’t immediately affect trade and said Mexico “is in a position of strength” to face whatever may come.

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Mr Trump on winning the US presidency and stressed the close friendship and ties between the two nations.

Mr Trudeau said in a statement he looked forward to working very closely with Mr Trump and his administration on trade, investment, international peace and security.

On Twitter, he said in French and English that “Our shared values are strong. Our common purpose is to build countries where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, and where the government works first, foremost and always for the people it governs”.

“We offer our hand in partnership with our neighbours as friends and allies as they move forward,” he said.

Russia

Russia is ready to do its part to fully restore ties with Washington following the election of Mr Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

“We heard the campaign statements of the future US presidential candidate about the restoration of relations between Russia and the United States,” Mr Putin said.

“It is not an easy path, but we are ready to do our part and do everything to return Russian and American relations to a stable path of development.”

Kremlin said Mr Putin congratulated Mr Trump on his victory in the US presidential election in a telegram.

“This would be good for both the Russian and American people and have a positive impact on the climate of world affairs,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

“Putin expressed hope for joint work to restore Russian-American relations from their state of crisis, and also to address pressing international issues and search for effective responses to challenges concerning global security.”

Mr Putin also said he was sure a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington would serve the interests of both countries, the Kremlin said.

Britain

British Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Mr Trump and said Britain and the US would remain “strong and close partners on trade, security and defence”.

Ms May had criticised Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims from entering the United States, saying it was divisive, unhelpful and wrong.

But since Britain’s surprise vote to leave the European Union in June prompted her appointment as leader, Ms May has been careful not to pass comment on the former reality TV host.

Also in Britain, controversial former UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage congratulated Mr Trump.

Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Mr Trump on election victory.

She said the US was an old and honourable democracy and the election campaign involved some tough confrontations.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the result was “different from what most people in Germany desired. But of course we have to accept it”.

“In the course of the election campaign Donald Trump has found critical words about Europe and Germany. We must adjust to the fact that American foreign policy will get less predictable in the near future,” he added.

But he told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that it was important to maintain good trans-Atlantic relations which he likened to “the foundations of the West.”

He said Germany would seek dialogue with the Trump administration, but warned that American foreign policy would likely become “less predictable.”

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen called for Germany to act as a bridge-builder with Mr Trump, saying clear answers on his views on Iraq, Syria and ties to Europe were needed.

Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte sent his regards in an official statement.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wishes to extend his warm congratulations to Mr. Donald Trump on his recent electoral victory as President of the United States of America,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

“President Duterte wishes President-elect Trump success in the next four years as Chief Executive and commander-in[-]chief of the US military, and looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law,” he wrote.

Egypt

Egypt’s president has congratulated Donald Trump, saying Cairo wants to see more “cooperation and coordination” between the two nations to bolster stability and peace in the Middle East.

According to a statement by his office on Wednesday, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi telephoned Trump to offer his congratulations and invited him to visit Egypt.

Mr el-Sissi met separately with Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in New York in September.

Mr el-Sissi later said in an interview with CNN that Trump “without a doubt” would make a strong leader.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s prime minister has labelled Mr Trumps win as an “extraordinary victory,” saying his success showed that politicians should never take voters for granted.

Najib Razak is a possible beneficiary of what could be an inward-looking US under a Trump presidency.

He is embroiled in a scandal over the alleged theft by his associates of several billion dollars from a state investment fund.

A US Justice Department probe has linked Mr Najib to the embezzlement.

Mr Najib said opinion polls and established political figures all underestimated the strength of Trump’s support.

He said that Trump’s “appeal to Americans who have been left behind, those who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare, and less embroiled in foreign interventions that proved to be against US interests, have won Mr. Trump the White House.”

France

French President Francois Hollande has congratulated Mr Trump on victory and said the election result opened a period of uncertainty.

“I congratulate him as is natural between two democratic heads of state,” Mr Hollande said.

“This American election opens a period of uncertainty.”

France would be vigilant and frank in its talks with the new administration on international issues, he said, adding that Mr Trump’s victory showed that France needed to be stronger and that Europe needed to be united.

A presidential official said Mr Hollande had spoken to Ms Merkel before making his declaration.

Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the US election results would have no effect on Tehran’s policies, noting that Iran’s expanding economic ties with the world were irreversible.

“The results of the US election have no effect on the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Mr Rouhani said.

“Iran’s policy for constructive engagement with the world and the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions have made our economic relations with all countries expanding and irreversible.”

He added that Iran’s nuclear deal with six world powers had been reflected in a United Nation Security Council resolution and could not be dismissed by one government.

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence that he and Mr Donald Trump could work together to bring US-Israeli relations to “new heights”.

In a statement congratulating the Republican candidate, Mr Netanyahu said: “President-elect Trump is a true friend of the State of Israel, and I look forward to working with him to advance security, stability and peace in our region.”

“I am confident that President-elect Trump and I will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between our two countries and bring it to ever greater heights,” the right-wing leader, who has had a rocky relationship with outgoing Mr Obama, said.

The Netherlands

Dutch politician and leader of right-wing Party for Freedom Geert Wilders said politics in the West will never be the same after Wednesday.

He issued a warning to the establishment about not ignoring calls for less immigration.

Mr Wilders said that Mr Trump’s victory would be an enormous stimulus for parties like his and that voters in the Netherlands could do what the Americans have done.

Nigeria

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates President-elect, Donald Trump, on his victory in the United States presidential election.

“President Buhari also congratulates American citizens on the outcome of the election, which was keenly observed by all true lovers of democracy and those who believe in the will of the people.

“The President looks forward to working together with President-elect Trump to strengthen the already established friendly relations between both countries, including cooperation on many shared foreign policy priorities, such as the fight against terrorism, peace and security, economic growth, democracy and good governance.

“As Mr. Trump prepares to assume the position of the President of the United States, President Buhari extends his good wishes to him on the onerous task of leading the world’s strongest economy.”

Compiled by Obinna Ejianya @obinna_ejianya for 9News Nigeria @9newsng

Source: ABC News