The Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has urged Africans to put extra effort in ensuring that elections in the continent go through the democratic process and remain transparent and fair.
Osinbajo said this on Monday while receiving the President-elect of Sao Tome and Principe, Carlos Vila Nova who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘Elections in Africa must follow a democratic process–Osinbajo’.
The Punch had earlier reported that on July 18, 2021, elections were held in Sao Tome to replace President Evaristo Carvalho, whose tenure expired on September 3, 2021.
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Based on constitutional provisions, an outright winner did not emerge from the polls and a run-off led to the emergence of Vila Nova, who would be inaugurated on October 2, 2021.
According to the Vice President “there is no question at all that for those of us in Africa, we must make the extra effort to ensure that the democratic process is very transparent. It is such a pleasure to see that that was what took place in your country which led to your election.”
Speaking about areas of cooperation between both countries, he said, “We already talked about some of the areas of cooperation…your tenure might be an opportunity to bring some of those things to fruition.”
He reassured Vila Nova of Nigeria’s support to ensure that “your tenure is as comfortable and effective as possible as partners and friends.”
In his remarks, President-elect Vila Nova expressed appreciation to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) for supporting Sao Tome and also thanked the Vice President for his attention, stating that Nigeria is a “friendly country” and the relationship between both countries dates back many years.
Source: Punch