28 May 2023

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi will today join other heads of state and dignitaries to witness the swearing-in of Nigeria’s president-elect, Mr Bola Tinubu.

The inauguration ceremony, to be held at Eagle Square in the capital Abuja, marks the 7th consecutive democratic transition of power in Africa’s most populous country and ushers in Nigeria’s 16th president.

Mr Tinubu’s swearing-in follows the Nigerian Electoral Commission’s declaration early March that his All Progressives Party was the overall winner of the February 25 presidential elections.

The victory was however not without protestations and allegations of rigging resulting in a legal tug of war launched by the opposition.

“We are aware that there had been litigations but like in any democratic nation the law had taken its course and we are happy the courts have made a ruling on the matter,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Lemogang Kwape said in an interview at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

He said President Masisi’s presence was not only a sign of support for Mr Tinubu but also for the furtherance of democracy that was gaining ground in Nigeria.

“Remember that Nigeria’s elections were marred by instability in the past but this is now becoming history as we have witnessed in the past two or three elections where the voters choice is respected,” he said.

The minister said the long standing bilateral relations and cooperation between Botswana and Nigerian dating many years was also another reason President Masisi was attending the inauguration.

According to Dr Kwape, the occasion would also give President Masisi an opportunity to meet fellow heads of state and engage them on pertinent matters especially those related to the betterment of Batswana’s lives. 

He cited the recent arrival of imported cattle from the United States as one of the many initiatives that resulted from President  Masisi's interaction with different captains of industry and leaders across the world.

Dr Kwape said there were still many untapped areas of trade and cooperation that Botswana and Nigeria needed to venture into to further the socio-economic development of their two countries. 

While in Nigeria, President Dr Masisi will also interact with the Nigerian business community through Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) to lure investors to Botswana.

“We are also here to drum up support for US/Africa summit scheduled to take place in Botswana in July. We are here to invite all and sundry to consider coming to Botswana,” said Dr Kwape.  

The President’s delegation includes First Lady Neo Masisi, Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Beauty Manake, MPs for Selebi Phikwe West and Thamaga/Kumakwane constituencies Messrs Kgoberego Nkawana and Palelo Motaosane as well as senior government officials. ENDS