Osinbajo: Nigeria to Work for a Stronger AU

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

Nigeria will continue to work together with other African countries to ensure that the African Union becomes a stronger and more robust organization for the benefit of the continent and its people, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo spoke yesterday while receiving a Special Envoy from President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: “It is important for Africa to always put the best foot forward and we will continue to work together with the President of Djibouti to make AU stronger and more robust.”
The Special Envoy, Ali Farah Assoweh brought a message addressed to the Nigerian President, regarding Djibouti’s interest in one of the positions up for contest in the AU elections scheduled for later this month, seeking Nigeria’s support.

The Djibouti’s Presidential Special Envoy who is also the country’s Justice Minister stated that his country was requesting that Nigeria should consider supporting its candidate for Deputy Chairman of the African Union Commission, and expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for the hospitality he and his delegation enjoyed since their arrival in the country.

Responding, Osinbajo welcomed the Special Envoy, noting that Nigeria and Djibouti “do enjoy very good diplomatic relationship over the years,” and also expressed appreciation to the President of Djibouti for the country’s support of Nigeria in various international platforms.

He said that the Federal Government would consider the candidate, observing that the position was one that had to be occupied by the right person.

Meanwhile, last night, -Sunday-President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo spoke on the telephone, reviewing local and other developments including the situation in Gambia, where Nigerian troops are playing a leading role in resolving the fallouts of that country’s presidential election.

Both the president, who is on vacation in the United Kingdom and the Vice President in Abuja also discussed other pertinent national issues.