Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised Liberian President George Weah’s display of statesmanship in conceding loss to opposition Leader Joseph Boakai during the recently ended presidential election.
After calculating the votes from more than 99 percent of polling places, the electoral commission of Liberia declared that Boakai had 50.89 percent of the vote while Weah had 49.11 percent.
Jonathan expressed his satisfaction with the conclusion of Liberia’s democratic process in a tweet on Saturday with the subject line “Liberia wins, Democracy gains.”
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The previous head of state in Nigeria praised Weah for admitting loss and extending congratulations to his opponent prior to the formal announcement.
A portion of the tweet said, “I am also especially appreciative of the outgoing President, His Excellency George Weah, who has just announced his defeat and congratulated his opponent even before the National Election Commission of Liberia officially announces the final results.
“President Weah has demonstrated an outstanding demonstration of statesmanship and dedication to the peace and advancement of his nation by taking this action.”
Additionally, he pushed Boakai to “seek to continue the efforts to unite and advance his country” and to be “magnanimous in victory.”
Jonathan oversaw the mediation mission of the West African Elders Forum (@TheWAEF) to the general elections held on October 10, 2023, and the presidential run-off election held on November 14, 2023, in Liberia.
He said that the victory and the orderly election process were positive developments for democracy and the Economic Community of West African States, the regional organization for West Africa.
“I am happy that Liberia emerges victorious from the exercise, democracy advances, and our sub-region, ECOWAS, benefits from it,” he said.
Under the previous president, Ellen Sirleaf—the first elected female African head of state—Boakai held the position of vice president for 12 years.
When the 78-year-old is sworn in in January 2024, he will formally begin serving as president.
In 2018, Weah, a former professional football player, was elected president of Liberia.
He is the first African to hold the position of head of state after leaving the professional game.