Bassirou Diomaye Faye's Inauguration in Senegal: 'Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Yet', Sowore Speaks

• Omoyele Sowore, a two-time presidential hopeful, has asked people not to celebrate the emergence of Bassirou Diomaye Faye's emergence as Senegal's president "too quickly"
• Sowore said in an interview monitored by Legit.ng that observers need to witness Faye's capability first
• Faye was sworn in Tuesday, April 2, in Diamniadio as Senegal's fifth president, having defeated main rival and ruling party coalition candidate Amadou Ba and winning the delayed election with over 54% of the vote

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and elections in Africa.

Dakar, Senegal - Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 Nigerian elections, has said until the performance of Bassirou Diomaye Faye is witnessed, “we should not celebrate too quickly”.

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Sowore spoke in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday night, April 2.

The media entrepreneur, 53, stated that one of the things he is displeased about with politics in Africa is "the old ideas of African leaders”.

Watch Sowore below:

Sowore said:

''I must make a caveat. Until we see the performance of this particular person who have taken over power in Senegal, we should not celebrate too quickly, because we’ve had young people in Nigeria lead.

“The guy that just left Kogi is very young, and look at the way he left the state."

He added:

“My problem is not with old people but with the old ideas of African leaders. They have no new ideas”

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BREAKING: Bassirou Diomaye Faye Sworn in as Senegal's New President

Legit.ng earlier reported that Senegal inaugurated Faye as its president, completing the previously little-known opposition figure’s dramatic ascent from prison to the palace in just weeks.

The left-wing pan-Africanist was sworn in on Tuesday, April 2, after sweeping to a first-round victory in the March 24 elections on a pledge of reform. At age 44, he is Senegal’s youngest president.

Read more Senegal news:

• Tinubu departs Nigeria for Senegal
• Senegal results show large win for opponent Faye in presidential poll
• Senegal election: Ex-APC spokesperson reacts to Bassirou Faye’s victory

Sani reacts as Faye wins Senegal’s presidential poll

Legit.ng earlier reported that former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani said the struggle and the tenacity of the people of Senegal is inspiring in the emergence of 44-year-old Faye as president.

Sani said the victory of the opposition candidate, Faye, has cast a positive light on West Africa.

Source: Legit.ng