Stability, Continuity in Governance Necessary to Defeat Terrorism in West Africa, Says Osinbajo

By Tobi Soniyi

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, 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.

A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande said Osinbajo spoke at the weekend in Niamey, Niger at the inauguration of President Issoufou Mahamadou for a second term in office as the president of Nigeri.

The Vice President said the re-election of the Nigerien leader was significant for the subregional coalition against insurgents.

He said Niger remained a good neighbour of Nigeria and an important partner, and also in the war against terrorism

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.”

Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the ceremony in Niger Republic said that Nigeria held 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.”

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