Vice President Kashim Shettima is in Libreville, Gabon today to represent President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government at the inauguration of Gabon’s President-elect, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.

Nguema, who has been Gabon’s transitional leader since a military-led takeover in August 2023, won the country’s April 12 presidential election in a landslide.

According to results released by the Constitutional Court, he secured 94.85% of the votes—totaling 58,074 ballots—defeating seven other candidates.

Former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze came in a distant second with just 3%, while no other candidate crossed the 1% mark.

Nguema’s victory marks a significant step in Gabon’s return to constitutional civilian rule after eight months under transitional governance.

In a statement released Saturday morning, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), 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.”

Shettima will join other regional and global leaders at the ceremony before returning to Nigeria.

Promoting democracy and constitutional rule has been a major foreign policy focus of the Tinubu administration.

The government continues to advocate for peaceful transitions and strong institutions across the African continent.