Buhari praises David Cameron's courage for standing down after losing referendum

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has praised British prime minister David Cameron's courage for standing down after he lost the referendum aimed at keeping the country wi8thin the European Union (EU).

 

Yesterday, Mr Cameron announced that he will stand down later this year after losing yesterday's referendum on Britain's membership of the EU which had made his position untenable. At the declaration of the results, 52% of the population voted to leave the EU with 17,410,742 votes against 16, 141,241 who voted to stay within the community on a high turnout of 72%.

 

Reacting to the development, President Buhari expressed regret at the resignation, saying that Nigeria had enjoyed remarkable goodwill, support and understanding under the capable leadership of the outgoing prime minister over the years. President Buhari's spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, ‎ said the president expressed the hope that Nigeria looked forward to greater cooperation and consolidation of shared interests with Britain, despite the outcome of the referendum.

 

Mallam Garba added: "Mr Cameron's resignation was a demonstration of courage by a democratic leader who respects the will of the people, even if he did not agree with their decision. By ‘putting the will of the people before his political future, the prime minister proved himself to be a selfless leader with respect for democracy and voters’ sovereignty."