Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced his confidence in Kenya's candidate for the African Union Commission Chairperson, Raila Odinga, asserting that the former Kenyan Prime Minister stands a strong chance of clinching the seat.
Speaking on Wednesday, Obasanjo emphasised the importance of continued lobbying and outreach to secure Odinga's position. "Raila has as good a chance as anybody else," Obasanjo remarked.
"We must continue our efforts and let people know what he brings to the table. His extensive reach allows him to engage with any president or prime minister, and he has the backing of his region. From my interactions, it looks promising, but we cannot afford to be complacent."
Obasanjo has been an ardent supporter of Odinga, actively campaigning across the continent on his behalf.
In an interview with Citizen TV last night, Obasanjo explained his motivations, highlighting Africa's pressing issues, such as peace, security, and food stability, which necessitate experienced leadership.
"Africa faces numerous challenges, and we need a leader with vast experience," Obasanjo stated. "Raila is not just the candidate of his country but of his region. He has the credentials to build a credible and efficient team to manage the continent's complex situation."
Despite the optimism, Odinga's campaign faces significant hurdles. According to a report by Nation earlier this month, Odinga and the government have yet to submit his resume to the AU Elections Commission.
The commission requires each candidate to submit a CV in the approved AU format, along with a vision statement addressing the continent's pressing issues in at least two working languages of the Union.
"Member States of the Eastern region are encouraged to submit the CVs and vision statements in all six languages of the Union," a recent communique from the Office of the Legal Council stated.
Nevertheless, Odinga is pushing forward. During the East African Community (EAC) Ministerial Retreat on Peace and Security in Zanzibar, last week, he submitted his credentials and articulated his vision for the AU Commission chairmanship, highlighting the importance of regional integration for continental unity.
"The foundation for continental unity lies in strong regional integration," Odinga told EAC Ministers.
This highly anticipated election, scheduled for February 2025, will see the 55 member states of the AU cast their votes to determine the future leadership of the Commission.
The election of the Chairperson and Deputy, specifies a secret ballot and a two-thirds majority vote. This rule ensures that the elected leaders have widespread support across the continent.
Kenya's previous bid for the AUC chairmanship, led by then Deputy President William Ruto, now the President, was unsuccessful despite significant investment. The campaign cost Kenya Ksh437 million but failed to secure the position.
