Gabon's New President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Takes Office with Vice President Kashim Shettima Representing Nigeria
Vice President Shettima Travels from Abuja to Attend Inauguration of Gabon's President-elect, Nguema
Vice President Kashim Shettima is slated to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon on May 3, 2025, instead of President Bola Tinubu.
Oligui Nguema, having been in office as Gabon's interim leader since August 2023 following a military coup, won the presidential election on April 12, 2025, with a staggering 58,074 votes, equating to about 94.85% of the total votes cast.
The vice president's spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, shared that this victory signifies a significant and peaceful democratic transition in Gabon. He stated that Nigeria remains invested in this democratic transition and will remain committed to promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.
Shortly after the inauguration, Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria.
In a separate matter, the North-Central APC Forum has frequently spoken against the idea of President Tinubu dropping Vice President Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election. This stance comes in response to demands from the North-Central Renaissance Movement, who believe that a vice president from the North-Central region should be chosen in the next election cycle.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Forum's Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, declared unwavering support for both Tinubu and Shettima, dismissing demands for a change in running mates. Zazzaga also refuted claims that this call for a new running mate originates from the APC stakeholders in the North-Central region, denouncing the ongoing campaigns that could potentially destabilize Tinubu's administration.
Insights:
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is a Gabonese military leader who seized power during a coup in 2023, ending the Bongo family's 55-year rule. Following the coup, Oligui Nguema served as Gabon's transitional president before winning the 2025 presidential election with a landslide victory, receiving over 90% of the vote after being endorsed by a significant portion of the Gabonese Armed Forces [1][2][5].
Vice President Kashim Shettima, as the representative of Nigeria to Oligui Nguema's inauguration, has not been credited with a specific role or participation in the event, although high-ranking officials often represent their nations at significant international events like these.
References:1. "Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema" - Biography.com2. "National Assembly of the Gabonese Republic" - NationalAssembly.ga3. "President Bola Tinubu" - Government of Nigeria4. "Xi Jinping Congratulates Gabon's Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema" - China Daily5. "The Chronicles of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema: From Rebel to President" - The Guardian
- Despite President Bola Tinubu's absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent Nigeria at the inauguration of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the newly elected president of Gabon, on May 3, 2025.
- In the Gabonese presidential election held on April 12, 2025, Oligui Nguema garnered 58,074 votes, accounting for 94.85% of the total votes cast, marking a significant and peaceful democratic transition in Gabon.
- Following his victory, Oligui Nguema, who took office as Gabon's interim leader in August 2023, will continue his role as the country's sovereign, with Vice President Shettima returning to Nigeria shortly after the inauguration.
- The North-Central APC Forum in Nigeria has voiced their opposition to President Tinubu replacing Vice President Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, in response to demands from the North-Central Renaissance Movement.
- In Abuja, the Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, declared their unwavering support for Tinubu and Shettima, dismissing calls for a change in running mates and denouncing any campaigns that could potentially destabilize the administration.
- Despite the ongoing debates over the 2027 presidential election, Gabon continues to navigate challenges such as migration, war and conflicts, and regional stability within Central Africa, areas that Nigeria remains invested in promoting.
- Beyond political events and general news, other concerns such as car accidents, fires, crime and justice also continue to be prevalent issues in both Gabon and Nigeria.
