Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has identified continuity in governance and political stability in the West African sub-region as an important element in the fight against Boko Haram and insurgency.
Speaking over the weekend in Niamey, 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 sub regional coalition against insurgents and terrorists.
According to him, “as you know, Niger is an important partner, and also an important ally in the war against terrorism and we are good neighbours.”
Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo noted 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.”
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the impressive ceremony in Niger Republic remarked 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 stated 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 subregional 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.
