World leaders, football legends to grace Weah’s inauguration Sunday

…Security operatives beefed up
…Ellen Johnson Sirleaf writes name in gold
With the emergence of George Weah as Liberia’s president elect in the runoff presidential pool held on 26th December, the flood gate has opened for world leaders and football icons to converge in Liberia to celebrate the latest Africa’s symbol of democracy.

The inauguration of George Weah as Liberia’s president scheduled to hold on Sunday December 31st 2017, would also be further deployed to celebrate Liberian outgoing president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first Africa’s female president, for her ingenuity and dexterity at ensuring a smooth and transparent election, devoid of rancor, which produced her successor from another party.

On Sunday, December 31 2017, the latest African heroine, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Unity Party (UP), would be handing over the reins of power to one of Africa’s greatest footballers, George Weah, Liberia’s president elect of the CDC party.

Nigeria set the pace in the renewed democratic development, when the former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 concede defeat of the PDP in Nigeria and handed over power to the current president , Mohammadu Buhari of the APC.

Ghana followed in 2016 when Ghana’s main opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won the presidency in his third run for the office. He defeated the incumbent president John Mahama of the New Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to political commentators in Nigeria, who have lauded the west African country for conducting a free and fair election devoid of crisis, however have called on the Liberia’s president elect not to betray the trust bestowed on him by the people of the country as they urged him to ensure that he enhances the economy of the country and living condition of Liberians.

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages have been trooping in from around the world to the latest president elect as well as making last minute preparation to grace the inauguration of George Weah on Sunday.

Great football legends and clubs from across the world including Pele, Maradona, PSG English, AC Millan, L’UEFA Didier Drogba , among other world renowned football ambassadors.

Expected among the world leaders are representative from the Nigeria’s government of which, two former presidents of Nigeria are already in Liberia in different capacities, delegations from the US government, representative of the British government and that from France, most of which have also sent the Liberian president elect, congratulatory messages.

France
For instance the French President, Emmanuel Macron, immediately after the official announcement of Weah as Liberia’s president elect sent him a congratulatory message “Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron wrote “Congratulations to Mister George for this election! Great moment for Liberia!”

Nigeria’ is expected also to send a powerful delegation to Weah’s inauguration, Nigeria’s President, Mohammadu Buhari having already congratulated Weah on his electoral victory,

Nigeria
President Muhhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Liberian President-elect Mr George Weah on his election as the next President of the Republic of Liberia, describing Weah’s victory as an affirmation of the will of the Liberian people to remain united, peaceful and prosperous.

Buhari also commends the Liberian people on the peaceful conduct of the historic presidential run-off election, stressing that “this is another plus on Africa’s democratic scoreboard.”

The President, applauded the efforts of the National Election Commission of Liberia, as well as regional and international observers who have contributed immensely to the electoral process and the strengthening of post-conflict democracy in the West African country.

Buhari pledged Nigeria’s readiness to work with Liberia on issues of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and global levels for the benefit of citizens of both countries.

The Nigerian leader also commends outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, under whose 12-year watch Liberia had transformed from being a pariah state to a country doing remarkably well on many fronts such as, women and civil rights issue, peace building and consolidation, ECOWAS and the Mano River Union.

The Nigerian president lauding the outgoing president, said that President Sirleaf deserves special commendation for the statesmanship she has shown in ensuring free and fair elections that will pave the way for a peaceful transfer of political power from one democratically elected leader to another for the first time in 73 years.

He therefore, wished the President-elect and Liberians a peaceful transition, reassuring them of Nigeria’s determination to sustain the current cordial relationship with Liberia.

Burundi
Burundian president, Pierre Nkurunziza has also sent the good wishes of Burundians to the Liberian president elect.

Pierre Nkurunziza, in a congratulatory tweet @pnkurunziza, soon after announcement of Weah’s victory said “Congratulations to @GeorgeWeahOff, most likely President elect of Liberia. His talents have made him an exceptional footballer and will certainly make him a Great Statesman. He’s an inspiration for Burundi and for Africa. https://twitter.com/pnkurunziza/status/946459756968992769 …

Kenya
Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta who won reelection and was sworn in November 29th 2017 has also written to congratulate the president elect, George Weah. Uhuru Kenyatta @UKenyatta wrote “My very warmest congratulations to President-elect @GeorgeWeahOff. His excellence and persistence have now won him the leadership of his people. Kenya sends its very best wishes to him and his administration. We look forward to closer ties in the years ahead. Congratulations!

President-elect Weah’s victory is a triumph of democracy. Kenya will stand with Liberia, for we believe that Pan-African cooperation will win every African the prosperity and freedom they deserve. I look forward to working with President Weah in the service of those ideals,” he added

Somalia
Somali’s president also wrote from Villa Somalia @TheVillaSomalia “Congratulations president-elect @GeorgeWeahOff. #Somalia wishes you success in your endeavors. We look forward to close cooperation and partnership. #Liberia

Burkina Faso
President of Burkina faso Roch Marc Christian Kaboré hs also congratulated Weah. Roch M. C. KABORE @rochkaborepf wrote “Congratulations Mr George Weah on winning the Liberian Presidential election. Wishing you and Liberian people all the best. Greetings from Burkina Faso. RK”

PSG English
The English football club also has congratulated Weah, @PSG_English wrote in a tweet “We knew George Weah way before he became President-elect of Liberia ?? ??? .Congrats to the PSG and world football legend on the latest chapter of his brilliant career!!!”

AC Milan
The Italian club @acmilan has also indicated interest in the political development in Liberia led by one of its greatest footballers, AC Millan wrote “Congratulations to the Red&Black legend George Weah on becoming the new President of Liberia! ??”

L’UEFA
@UEFAcom_fr also has congratulated Weah “ George Weah. Le meilleur buteur de l’#UCL #LdC 1994/95 – seul Ballon d’Or africain – sera président du Liberia, son pays, à partir du 22 janvier! “

Mikael Forssell
Mikael Forssell,Finnish international football striker currently playing for Veikkausliiga club HIFK has also congratulated Weah , he wrote @MikaelForssell “Congrats to my former teammate at @ChelseaFC George Weah @GeorgeWeahOff who was my boyhood idol and now the new Liberian President???Congrats?? #President #idol #teammate #signature “

Bonny Amadi with Agency Report