The vice president, Kashim Shettima will on Saturday, May 3, depart Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of President-elect, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Shettima would be embarking on the trip at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, the media aide to the vice president, Stanley Nkwocha said in a statement.
Nkwocha said, “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.”
He also added that Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.
Nguema served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023 and secured a decisive victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election.
Final results released by Gabon’s Constitutional Court showed that Nguema garnered 58,074 votes – equivalent to 94.85% of the total votes cast.
Nguema faced seven challengers in the race, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who finished second with 3% of the vote. Other candidates failed to surpass the 1% threshold.