The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated Adama Barrow, after he was sworn-in as President of The Gambia.
The congratulations was conveyed on behalf of the president by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama on Thursday via Twitter.
“Nigeria welcomes the swearing-in of His Excellency: Adama Barrow – as President of The Gambia, today. Congratulations,” Onyeama tweeted.
Barrow was sworn-in at Gambia’s Embassy in Senegal.
He has since returned to The Gambia.
Barrow has been in Senegal for several days at the request of West African leaders until his planned inauguration.
Speaking after taking oath of office in Dakar, he called on security forces to “demonstrate their loyalty” in a standoff with outgoing President of the country, Yahya Jammeh.
He said, “From today on, I am the president of the Gambia regardless of whether you voted for me or not.”
“I command the chief of defence staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander in chief without any delay.
“I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels.”
Barrow defeated Jammeh in last month’s presidential election. Although Jammeh initially conceded defeat, he later changed his mind citing irregularities during the polls.