Vice President, Kashim Shettima will on Saturday, May 3, depart Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of the country’s President-elect, Brice Nguema.
Nguema, who had served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a decisive victory in the country’s 12 April presidential election.
According to final results released by Gabon’s Constitutional Court, Nguema garnered 58,074 votes, equivalent to 94.85 per cent of total votes cast.
Nguema faced seven challengers in the race, including former Prime Minister Alain Bilie-By-Nze, who finished second with 3 per cent of the vote. Other candidates failed to surpass the 1 per cent threshold.
The general and former junta leader, who toppled Ali Bongo in August 2023, ending 55 years of dynastic rule by the Bongo family, officially takes the presidential reins after leading a 19-month transition government.
50-year-old Nguema now faces serious challenges in leading the oil-rich but heavily indebted country, which needs to revamp crucial infrastructure and diversify its economy.
