Barrow who was an opposition candidate, won the presidential polls last week putting an end to the 22-year rule of Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh, who came into power through a coup in 1994, as a 29 year old military officer had previously won four polls.
Head of Gambian’s electoral commission, Alieu Momarr Njai, had announced in Banjul last Friday that Barrow clinched 263,515 votes
while Jammeh won 212,099.
Jammeh had subsequently conceded defeat towing the line of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan who called his successor to concede defeat.
According to a statement by Presidential media aide, Garba Shehu, in a telephone conversation with Barrow Monday afternoon shortly before his trip to the International Forum on Peace and Security in Senegal, President Buhari expressed his gladness at the conduct of the
contestants before, during and after the elections.“President Buhari urged Barrow to ensure that the transition process is also as smooth as the electoral process and carry everyone along in
his task of taking the Gambia to a new level.
“The President also expressed his admiration at the existing rapport between the President-elect and other contestants especially the
current President, who lost the election, stating that democracy, rule of law and respect for each other are fast taking roots in Africa and
that Gambia has also become a role model for Africa and the world at large” the statement read in part.
