President Buhari congratulates Turkey on successful referendum

Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has
congratulated the people and government of
Turkey on the successful conclusion of the
country’s referendum on Monday.
A statement issued by the President’s Special
Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi
Adesina, in Abuja on Monday said Buhari
particularly congratulated Turkish President,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his foresight.
The President commended Erdogan for his
maturity in leading his people to the polls to
decide on the future of leadership for the
country that would further deepen peace and
stability.
According to him, the referendum showcases
the democratic credentials of the country and
reflects a willingness of the Turkish people to
live together and jointly pursue a better future.
Erdogan won 51.3 per cent of the votes in a
referendum on Sunday to grant him sweeping
powers in the biggest overhaul of modern
Turkish politics.
However, opposition parties said the exercise
was marred by irregularities, adding that they
would challenge its result.
“Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast and its
three main cities, including the capital Ankara
and the largest city Istanbul, looked set to
vote No, after a bitter and divisive campaign,’’
a local newspaper reported on Sunday.