Harris concedes as Tinubu, world leaders hail Trump

• Republican candidate: my victory unprecedented in U.S. history • How he won

Even before Democratic candidate Kamala Harris conceded defeat, world leaders including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, started congratulating United States (U.S.) President-elect Donald Trump yesterday.

As soon as he gained an unassailable lead with 266 Electoral College votes – four short of the 270 threshold – Trump mounted the victory podium to address his supporters at Palm Beach, Florida from around 8:00am Nigerian time.

His victory speech was beamed  live by all major television networks to homes and offices around the world.

Hours after Trump’s speech, Harris made a phone call to him to concede defeat, thereby ending the bitterly fought battle for the U.S. top job.

An unnamed aide of Harris  explained that Harris, who in her capacity as vice-president serves also as Senate President, emphasised the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans.

She will in her capacity as Senate President preside over the ratification of the December vote by the Electoral College which will seal Trump’s victory.

The President-elect will be sworn-in on January 20.

Trump secured the White House with a decisive 292 electoral votes. Harris garnered 226 electoral votes.

Trump won 50.98% of the popular vote, totaling 72,937,315 ballots cast in his favor. Trump won five swing states: Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He also maintained leads in Arizona, with 51.93%, and in Nevada, with 51.59% as of 10:50 pm Central African Time, the two states whose results have not been concluded.

Harris, his primary rival, received 67,990,411 votes, accounting for 47.52% of the vote.

Apart from President Tinubu, other world leaders such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu, French President Emmanuel Macron; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi;  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; Turkish President Recep  Erdogan, Ukranian President Velodymyr Zelensky, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish President Andrzei Duda greeted Trump.

While Iran  was indifferent about Trump’s second return  to the White House as the 47th US President, China and Russia simply pledged cooperation with the President-elect.

The 78-year-old business mogul in his victory speech, unfolded his agenda. He said: ‘’America needs help badly’’ to heal and rebound  economically.

He pledged  that his administration would focus on securing US  borders and restoring economic stability.

Trump   pulled off his ‘magnificent victory’ on a night reminiscent of 2016, sweeping  the key swing states of North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania to beat Democratic Party candidate Harris.

In  his congratulatory message, President Tinubu expressed optimism about future relations between Nigeria and the U.S. under Trump’s renewed leadership.

Tinubu highlighted the potential for enhanced economic cooperation, peace  and collaborative responses to global challenges shared by both nations.

“Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens,” he said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President expressed confidence that Trump’s return to the White House  would mark the start of a mutually beneficial era of partnerships between Africa and the US.

 The statement partly reads: “President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

“President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

“According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.

“President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

“Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.”

In a post on his X,  President Macron said: “Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine, with respect and ambition.

“For more peace and prosperity.’’

British Prime Minister   Starmer said the UK-US special relationship would “continue to prosper” following   Trump’s “historic election victory.’’

Starmer’s counterpart in Italy, Meloni,  said the strategic connections between their two countries would now become even stronger.

 “Good luck with your work, President!” the far-right prime minister added.

In a statement on her X handle, German Chancellor  Scholz  said: “For a long time, Germany and the U.S. have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.

“We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens.’’

Polish leader, Duda also wrote on his X handle “Congratulations, Mr. President … You made it happen!”

President  Zelensky was ‘’hopeful’’ that with Trump,  peace would be restored in his war-ravaged Ukraine.

He said: “Congratulations to Donald Trump on his election victory,Related News

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to  peace through a strong approach to global affairs.

“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.”

Israeli Prime Minister  Netanyahu said Trump achieved what could be termed   “history’s greatest comeback.”

“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” he said.

 Erdogan described the business magnate as a  “friend” whose victory in the poll came after a “great struggle.”

China, meanwhile, was more cautious in its response. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the election was a domestic affair that Beijing would handle as usual once the results are officially announced.

*Arab leaders uncertain about Trump’s Presidency

Leaders and monarchs across the Arab world also praised  Trump on his victory amid uncertainty about how his presidency will impact the conflict in the Middle East.

“I wish him every success in achieving the interests of the American people,” said Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.

He said that in view of “critical circumstances in the world,” cooperation between the U.S. and Egypt, which along with Israel is among the largest recipients of U.S. military aid, was particularly important.

Egypt is an important mediator in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, along with Qatar and the US.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed   Abdulrahman described the U.S. as a “key partner” for the Gulf emirate and the region.

The largest U.S. military base in the Middle East is located in Qatar.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II sent Trump his “warmest congratulations” for the election victory.

He said he looked forward to renewed cooperation “in the service of regional and global peace.” Jordan is an important U.S. ally.

Iraqi President Abdul  Rashid wrote on X: “I am hopeful that the new American administration will foster much-needed stability and constructive dialogue in the region.”

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdelaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also conveyed their congratulations.

• America needs help badly, Trump declares

Trump, in a spirited victory speech, addressed a crowd of jubilant supporters, pledging to unite the country and address urgent national challenges.

Surrounded by his family members, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and supporters, Trump spoke of the need to “heal” and strengthen the nation.

“We are going to fix everything about our country. We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly,”  the Associated quoted him as saying. 

Calling his win a “movement like nobody has ever seen before,” Trump acknowledged the historic significance of his return to the White House.

“This will truly be the golden age of America,” he said,  promising to work toward a “strong, safe, and prosperous” future.

He  pointed out Republican wins in Senate races across several states, including Ohio and Texas, which he attributed to the strength of the “MAGA movement.”

The President-elect concluded by thanking his family, supporters, and  Vance, expressing optimism about the next four years.

“We’re going to make this the greatest country in the world again,” Trump said, vowing to uphold border security and encourage legal immigration.

 Promising to lead an era of “hope and unity,” he pledged to fulfill his commitment to the American people.

Later at the convention centre,  Trump addressed his  fans. He  declared: ‘We’re going to help our country heal.’

‘This was, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time,’ he said. ‘This is a magnificent victory for the American people, that will allow us to make America great again.’

By the victory, Trump becomes the first president in over 130 years – and only the second in history – to win a non-consecutive second term.

 The 78-year-old  will also become the oldest president ever inaugurated, beating President Joe Biden’s record by five months.

German, French defence ministers to hold talks amid Trump win

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is to travel to France for talks with his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu yesterday following  Trump’s victory.

  The talks are expected to focus on the consequences of the victory.

In particular for the future support for Ukraine, which has been fighting for more than two and a half years against Russia, as well as for European defence policy?

Washington has been a central provider of military support to Ukraine, which Trump has long criticised.