Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday departed Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Oligui Nguema, who has served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a resounding victory in the April 12 presidential election. Final results released by Gabon’s Constitutional Court showed that he polled 58,074 votes, representing 94.85% of the total votes cast.
The interim leader faced seven other candidates, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who came a distant second with 3% of the vote. None of the other contenders crossed the 1% mark.
Nigeria has expressed its full support for Gabon’s peaceful democratic transition and reiterated its commitment to advancing democratic governance and regional stability across Central Africa.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima is expected to return to the country after the inauguration ceremony.
