Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has advocated continuity in governance which he described as an antidote for political stability in the West African subregion. He said that such continuity is an important element in the fight against Boko Haram and insurgency.
Osinbajo who spoke in Niamey, capital of the Republic of Niger at the inauguration of President Issoufou Mahamadou for a second term in office, the Vice President said the re-election of the Nigerien leader is significant for the subregional coalition against insurgents and terrorists.
“As you know, Niger is an important partner, and also an important ally in the war against terrorism and we are good neighbours.”
Professor Osinbajo said that Mahamadou’s investiture has great significance because first Nigeria understands President Issoufou well.
“He is an old hand and Nigeria has worked well with him as a partner. So, his re-election brings continuity and is good for the fight against Boko Haram and the insurgency in general.”
Professor Yemi Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the ceremony in Niger Republic said that Nigeria holds the Nigerien President in high esteem adding that “he is an old friend of President Buhari who is abroad attending the nuclear security summit in Washington, USA, which is why he could not attend this event.”
He said that the Nigerien President’s inauguration is also an opportunity to honour a strong ally and to reinforce all our important diplomatic and military ties.
In his inauguration address after he was sworn-in at the ceremony, President Mahamadou noted that current worries regarding insecurity is global, transcending boundaries.
He restated Niger’s renewed commitment to join forces with Nigeria and other neighbours to fight insurgency at the sub regional level.
The Nigerien President explained that defeating Boko Haram has several benefits particularly for economic integration in the region stating that it ‘ will facilitate trade between Niger and Nigeria’.
About fifty two countries witnessed the ceremony including nine West African presidents.
There were also several Nigerian dignitaries at the occasion including the APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and several governors especially from the Northern States. [myad]
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