Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for president of Nigeria, congratulated William Ruto, the winner of Kenya's recent presidential election, on his victory.
After receiving 50.49 percent of the total votes cast (7,176,141), Ruto defeated his closest rival, former prime minister Raila Odinga, who received 48.85 percent (6,942,930) of the votes cast, to win the presidential election on August 9.
Odinga, however, has disputed the results, and four out of the seven members of the election commission have also declined to certify them.
The country's vice president-elect, who is also the president-elect, does not share President Uhuru Kenyatta's political views. Kenyatta supported Odinga, a longtime rival.
In a telegram he personally signed on Tuesday, Tinubu urged the Kenyan people to use every lawful option to end the election-related conflict.
He urged the president-elect to work toward national cohesion while also stating that Kenyans must accept the outcome and abstain from violence.
“I congratulate William Ruto and his UDA party on his election as the next president of Kenya. I also congratulate and commend the people of Kenya on the peaceful conduct of the elections.
“While urging all Kenyans to accept this result and shun violence, I enjoin them to seek peaceful adjudication of all disputes through the Kenyan legal system.
“This shall be the greatest testament to the progress Kenya has made in strengthening the core institutions of its democracy.
“It is my prayer that as President, Ruto will unite the country, bringing all Kenyans together to move their great nation forward and implementing the progressive policies and reforms desired by the people.
“I wish Ruto and all the people of Kenya the very best and look forward to a continued beneficial and cordial relationship between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Kenya,” Tinubu said.