50 per cent of Beninoise came from Nigeria, says Yayi

President of Benin Republic Boni Yayi said yesterday that 55 per cent of the population of his country came from Nigeria.
He described Republic of Benin as the 37th state of Nigeria.

Yayi spoke yesterday after a closed door meeting between him and the President elect, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Defence House, Abuja.

He explained that Nigeria and Republic of Benin are not only close neigbours, but have cultural and traditional affinity, assuring that “Benin Republic will always be on Nigeria’s side”.

The Beninoise leader expressed confidence in the ability of Buhari to take up the challenge facing Nigeria and West African sub region, including the problem of Boko Haram, peace enforcement and other issues.

He noted that the citizens elected Buhari to enhance their destiny because of his integrity and experience as a former Head of State.

Yayi noted that with Buhari as Nigeria’s president, the nation’s economy, which he described as the engine room of the sub region, will be on the path of recovery to impact positively on other countries in West Africa.

He assured of his country’s cooperation with the incoming government and prayed for Buhari’s success.

The President-elect expressed appreciation to the government and people of Republic of Benin for identifying with the major problems facing the Nigeria, especially the security challenge in the Northeast caused by the Boko Haram.

Buhari said Yayi has voluntarily identified himself with efforts by Nigeria to stamp out insurgency in the Northeast.


Buhari said: “Your Excellency, I very much appreciates your boldness in identifying yourself and your country with Nigeria. It is critical to Nigeria and the neighbourhood is very important.”

Yayi also yesterday paid glowing tributes to President Goodluck Jonathan for setting an exemplary leadership style in the African continent.

He gave the commendation after a closed-door meeting with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Noting that Jonathan played a leadership role in Africa, he noted that Jonathan had mediated in achieving peace in many countries, including Mali and Guinea Bissau.

According to him, he could not come before now to congratulate the President for presiding over a hitch-free and successful election and for congratulating his challenger before the result was announced, because of the legislative election held in Republic of Benin.

He said: “I came to congratulate my brother, President Jonathan. He is a very great statesman; he organised the election peacefully in the largest country in sub Saharan Africa.

“To us, the election was very transparent and peaceful and coming back, he took a wonderful decision by a great statesman by calling his challenger to congratulate him even before the final result was released.

“Usually, in Africa, it is rare. He gave us very good example of democracy, not only in our sub region and Africa, but also in the whole world.

He prayed that God should continue to be with Jonathan and his family members in their future endeavours.