Re-Elected Nigerian President Consolidates Society

The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that victory of incumbent Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo at the recent presidential elections should boost further consolidation of Nigerian society.

"The results of the voting pointed to the progress and stability in democratic reformation of Nigerian society. The development of this positive trend should boost consolidation of national unity and Nigeria's international authority and solution of social-economic problems," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.

On April 19th, Nigeria saw the second presidential elections after the country's transfer to civil government in 1999. According to the official data of the National Election Committee, published on April 23rd, almost 62 percent of Nigerians voted for Olusegun Obasanjo. Some 32 percent of people voted for his main rival Muhammadu Buhari. Other presidential nominees won about 5 percent of votes.

International observers who controlled the process of voting acknowledged the elections valid and free from violence, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.