Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, will treat urgently a request made by Gambia’s regarding the presidency of the ECOWAS Commission.

Mr Osinbajo added that Nigeria would continue to support the aspirations and activities of Gambia, especially in ways that promote African brotherhood.

Laolu Akande, Mr Osinbajo’s media aide, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the vice president received Mamadou Tangara, the Special Envoy of President Adama Barrow of Gambia, at the Presidential Villa. 

Tangara is also the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad. The envoy came to deliver a message from the Gambian President to Mr Buhari.

“We strongly remain in support of all of the activities of the government and people of The Gambia and stand with you in all ways.

“The Nigerian government remains committed to its relationship with The Gambia. It is a long-standing relationship of brothers of so many years,” stated Mr Osinbajo.

He added, “We consider it an important relationship not just within the ECOWAS sub-region but also we consider that as African brothers. We owe a responsibility to ourselves and to the world, to work together for the best purposes and for the best objectives that we have set for ourselves as a people.”

Mr Osinbajo assured the envoy that Mr Buhari would treat Mr Barrow’s request “with all the urgency it deserved.”

Speaking, Mr Tangara said he was in Abuja to solicit Nigeria’s support for his country’s quest to produce the next president of the ECOWAS Commission.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s support to The Gambia in the judiciary, military, and education areas.

Mr Tangara added that if Nigeria was to withdraw its technical support, for instance, “The Gambia’s judiciary will crumble and be in total chaos.”