Ex-Liberian president tips Amina Mohammed as next Nigeria’s president

Former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, says she wants Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed, as next president of Nigeria and the second elected female African president.

She stated this at a symposium organised by the Centre for Public Research and Development to commemorate Amina Mohammed’s 60th birthday.

Sirleaf described Amina as a “force of nature and consensus builder”.

The former Liberia’s president asked Nigerians to emulate her country and elect Mohammed the first female president and second in Africa.

She noted that Mohammed was qualified for the role, considering her leadership experiences.

She said, “Would it not be good to have a second elected female African president in Nigeria.

“The support by men would be a stepping stone because they must recognise the capabilities and contributions of women to sustain the government for the peace and security of the nation.

“Those of you, our fathers, our brothers, our sons in this room; we are wives, we are sisters, we are daughters, you have all the rights, they look to you to give them votes to bring the change.”

Sirleaf served as the president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018, while Mohammed was recently appointed as UN deputy secretary-general for the second time.

Also speaking at the forum Kaduna State Governor,  Nasir el-Rufai, said the UN deputy secretary-general remained an inspiration to young girls.

“She is an inspiration not only to us but to all our young daughters who can now grow up confident that their role is not just relegated to being a housewife, they can be anything they want to be, from being a minister to being governor,” el-Rufai said.

The governor said, “You do not know how many female young girls you have inspired and whose lives you will change simply from your examples.”