Shettima, African leaders attend Gabon President’s inauguration

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima joined other African leaders and thousands of Gabonese citizens in Libreville on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to witness the inauguration of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.

Nguema, who led a coup in August 2023 to oust Ali Bongo, won 94.85% of votes in the April 12, 2025, presidential election, defeating seven candidates.

The ceremony at Stade de l’Amitié sino-gabonaise featured military parades and cultural displays. In his speech, Nguema thanked Gabonese citizens for their support, pledging to drive development, empower youth, tackle insecurity, improve water supply, and strengthen ties with the United Nations and African nations.

Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, was accompanied by Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, and Dr Aliyu Modibbo, Special Adviser to the President.

Other attendees included Presidents Teodoro Obiang Nguema (Equatorial Guinea), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), John Dramani Mahama (Ghana), Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic), Adama Barrow (Gambia), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno (Chad), Denis Sassou Nguesso (Republic of Congo), Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Umaro Sissoco Embaló (Guinea-Bissau), and Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi).

Shettima returned to Abuja shortly after, according to his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.