Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is a known friend of South Africa's Jacob Zuma has expressed joy upon the re-emergence of the South African President as party leader and the official candidate for the next presidential election in 2013.

This came after a heated contest with his Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe.

"Nigeria has much to learn from South Africa's 100 year-old African National Congress, the ANC. He won by 2983 votes! It was a landslide victory that left his main challenger and former deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, with only 991," Atiku who was at ANC Congress enthused.

Atiku said "It has been a privilege to witness this 53rd Congress of the ANC the election of its next set of leaders. The conference is held every 5 years, and in the context of current development, it has been a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to witness history being made by a party whose liberation spirit is still strong.

I congratulate my friend, President Jacob Zuma on retaining the leadership of his party - defeating so worthy and credible a contender as Motlanthe."

Speaking of Zuma, Atiku said "Jacob Zuma fought hard - with wit, style, shrewd manoeuvring, compassion and a transparent patriotism that has ensured he has the respect of his party and the love of his people. The Zuma victory was enabled by his aligning with Cyril Ramaphosa, a master-stroke which defeated the main opposition known as the so-called Forces of Change."