Shettima in Libreville for inauguration of new Gabon’s president to represent Nigeria
Vice President Kashim Shettima will today depart Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria at the inauguration of Gabon’s President-elect, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Oligui Nguema, who has served as Gabon’s transitional leader since August 2023 following a military-led ouster of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, emerged victorious in the country’s April 12 presidential election.
According to official results announced by Gabon’s Constitutional Court, Nguema secured a sweeping 94.85% of the votes—amounting to 58,074 ballots.
He defeated seven other contenders in the race, including former Prime Minister, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who came in a distant second with just 3% of the vote.
Read also: Vice President Shettima appeals for unity, tolerance in Kano among politicians
No other candidate managed to cross the 1% mark, according to the court’s final tally.
Nguema’s overwhelming victory paves the way for a full return to constitutional civilian rule in the oil-rich Central African nation, which has been under transitional governance for the past eight months.
According to a statement on Saturday morning by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, the Nigerian government reaffirmed its support for Gabon’s ongoing democratic journey and highlighted the strategic importance of stable governance in the region.
“Nigeria remains supportive of the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon and reaffirms the government’s broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa,” the statement reads.
Shettima is expected to join other regional and international leaders at the inauguration ceremony, after which he will return to Nigeria.
Tinubu’s administration has made the promotion of democracy and good governance in Africa a central theme of its foreign policy, consistently advocating for constitutional rule and peaceful transitions across the continent.
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