Accra, April 26, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday congratulated Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on his election as the President of Nigeria.

"I have learnt that the appropriate electoral institution in Nigeria has declared you winner in your country's recent election. Congratulation,"

President Kufuor said in the message. President Kufuor, who is the Chairman of the Africa Union, said he looked forward to welcoming the President-elect in to the fold the regional institutions - ECOWAS and the AU - with the strong hope that Alhaji Yar'Ardua would bring his sterling qualities to bear on the common pursuit of peace and stability in the sub-region and the continent as a whole.

He said he was particularly pleased about Alhaji Yar'Ardua's published appeal for national reconciliation and for all parties to avail themselves of the existing constitutional avenues to redress any grievances that might have arisen out of the elections.

"It is my hope that you will continue the on-going efforts to deepen democracy and constitutionalism both in Nigeria and in our sub-region," President Kufuor said.