Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his regret at the resignation of British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Cameron announced Friday that he was stepping down after his country voted to leave the European Union. He will leave office in October
In an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street, Cameron announced that the cabinet would meet on Monday to draw up a time-table for his exit
According to Cameron, Britain requires fresh leadership to negotiate the country’s exit from the EU.
President Buhari said Nigeria has enjoyed remarkable goodwill, support and understanding under the leadership of the outgoing prime minister over the years.
The president said Cameron’s resignation in response to the outcome of a referendum that supported Britain to leave the European Union “was a demonstration of courage by a democratic leader who respects the will of the people, even if he didn’t agree with their decision”.
President Buhari noted that 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 voter sovereignty”.
The president expressed hope that Nigeria looks forward to greater cooperation and consolidation of shared interests with Britain, despite the outcome of the referendum.
Cameron had urged the country to Remain but was defeated by 52% to 48% despite London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backing staying in.
Flanked by his wife Samantha, Cameron said he had informed the Queen of his decision to remain in place for the short term and to then hand over to a new prime minister by the time of the Conservative conference in October.
It would be for the new prime minister to carry out negotiations with the EU and invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would give the UK two years to negotiate its withdrawal, he said.
Britain is set to be the first country to leave the EU since its formation – but the Leave vote does not immediately mean Britain ceases to be a member of the 28-nation bloc.
That process could take a minimum of two years, with Leave campaigners suggesting during the referendum campaign that it should not be completed until 2020 – the date of the next scheduled general election.
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