Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of President-elect Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Shettima’s trip was made at the request of President Bola Tinubu.
Oligui Nguema, who has served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, won a landslide victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election, securing nearly 95% of the vote.
“Nigeria remains committed to supporting Gabon’s peaceful democratic transition and reaffirming its broader interest in fostering democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa,” the statement noted.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria following the inauguration.
Oligui Nguema, who led the August 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year rule, will officially assume the presidency after overseeing a 19-month transition government. Several African leaders, including Gambia’s Adama Barrow, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Djibouti’s Ismail Omar Guelleh, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, are expected to attend the event, which will take place in a 40,000-capacity stadium north of the capital, Libreville.
