Shettima to represent Tinubu at Brice Nguema’s inauguration as Gabon president

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Nigeria for Libreville, Gabon, to attend the inauguration of Brice Nguema as president.

In a statement, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima’s spokesperson, said the vice-president left Abuja for Gabon on Saturday at the behest of President Bola Tinubu.

Nkwocha said Nigeria supports the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon and retains a broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.

He added that Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.

Nguema, Gabon’s military leader, won the country’s presidential election in April.

He was said to have secured about 90 percent of the votes in the eight-candidate race.

Nguema ended more than five decades of the Bongo family rule in August 2023.

As head of the country’s presidential guard, he led a group of soldiers to seize power from Ali Bongo after a controversial election.

The military officers listed institutional, political, economic, and social crises as reasons for the coup.