Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, on Thursday, congratulated the President-elect of Senegal, Mr. Bassirou Faye, on his victory at the polls.
Frank in a statement made available to The Guardian, urged the incoming Senegalese president to prioritise the welfare, interest and empowerment of the youths of Senegal during his tenure.
He urged him not to disappoint the people of Senegal that elected him but rather should be an exemplar of the rich ideas, innovativeness and transformative energy of youths in Africa and beyond.
Frank said: “We urge you to put the interests of the youths of Senegal first before any other consideration. Work hard to show that the youths can also be relied on in the continent.
“Make sure you keep to your campaign promises and be a good ambassador of not just the youths of Senegal but the entire continent. Besides, Don’t betray opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, since you are now the ultimate beneficiary of his struggles, political persecution and imprisonment.
“Never forget that the sacrifices he made contributed immensely in your emergence as Senegal’s incoming President. Above all, work with all positive and progressive forces in Senegal to build the country.”
He added: “I most earnestly enjoin you, on assumption of office, to immediately release all political detainees incarcerated by Mr. Sall. Also ensure that all those that died during the struggle to defend the country’s constitution and democracy are accorded special honour by remembering their families.”
Frank said he is particularly gratified for lending his voice in support of the struggle that led to the eventual victory of the opposition when ex-President Marky Sall was oppressing and suppressing the movement.
He said: “Recall that about two months ago, precisely on February 7, 2024, I had in a statement condemned President Macky Sall, for postponing the presidential election earlier scheduled for February 25.
“I had equally called on the governments of the United Kingdom, United States of America and the European Union to place a visa ban on Sall over his attempt to derail democracy in Senegal.”
He called on security agencies and electoral bodies in other African countries to learn what it means to conduct a peaceful, free, fair and credible elections from Senegal.
“It is our hope that Nigeria’s electoral body, security agencies and similar institutions in other countries within the continent will learn from Senegal how to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
“We expect every other country to borrow a leaf from Senegal’s sterling example because peaceful election is the only antidote to post election crisis and violence and with losers having no option but to concede defeat.”
