Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Cotonou, the capital of the Benin Republic, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of President-elect Romuald Wadagni.
The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou, with several African leaders and other foreign dignitaries expected to attend.
Wadagni is expected to assume office for a seven-year constitutional term following the swearing-in ceremony.
His running mate, Mariam Chabi Talata, will also take the oath of office as Vice President in Porto-Novo, the country’s capital.
According to reports, the inauguration activities will feature the traditional transfer of power, including the handing over of the presidential sash and other insignia at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou.
The event is also expected to include a motorcade procession to the Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto-Novo.
A statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson to Vice-President Shettima, noted that Nigeria and Benin Republic share longstanding historical, economic and socio-cultural relations.
Nkwocha said bilateral engagements between both countries have largely centred on border security, trade relations and energy cooperation.
He added that Nigeria remains committed to the peace, stability and integration of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Tinubu.
The statement further disclosed that Shettima travelled with senior government officials and aides, adding that he would return to Nigeria after the inauguration activities.
