Vice President Kashim Shettima has embarked on a trip to Libreville, Gabon, where he will represent Nigeria at the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima’s journey was made on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Oligui Nguema, who has held the position of Gabon’s transitional leader since August 2023, emerged victorious in the April 12 presidential election with an overwhelming majority.
“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 Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration,” the statement added.
The newly elected president, a military general who previously led the country’s junta, staged a coup in August 2023 that brought an end to the Bongo family’s 55-year reign.
Following a 19-month transitional period, he now formally assumes leadership after clinching nearly 95 percent of the vote in last month’s polls.
The inauguration is taking place in a 40,000-seat stadium located north of Libreville and is set to host several African leaders.
Dignitaries expected include Gambia’s President Adama Barrow, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, and Equatorial Guinea’s long-serving leader, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
