One-time Kenya's prime minister Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship has continued to gather support in the recent past.
Raila now has the third contender for the race giving up his bid to support him.
Former Seychelles Prime Minister Vincent Meriton announced stepping out of the race to support Raila.
Meritobn revealed that he gave up the bid due to health reasons, resorting to supporting Raila, whom he praised for his pan-African spirit and commitment to uniting the African continent.
"I withdrew my candidacy from the race due to health reasons. I would not have been able to withstand the pressure that goes with that position. Today, I lend my support to Raila Odinga as he travels far and wide across the continent to spread his message of pan-Africanism, peace, security and prosperity for all," said Meriton.
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He added that Raila's drive, enthusiasm, passion and experience Raila has to see the continent levelling up.
Meriton's support was acknowledged by Raila.
"I had a useful meeting with Meriton. He has been a politician in Seychelles for a very long time. He opted not to submit his application for AUC because of his respect for me. He volunteered to help in the campaign. I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his sense of patriotism and sacrifice to support my campaign," said Raila.
Earlier in the week, the Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam committed to forego the country’s candidature and throw his weight behind Raila Odinga. Yesterday, former Vice President of Sychelles Vincent Meriton whose candidacy had also been endorsed by his country’s… pic.twitter.com/mYOoHmu4Jc
— Pauline Njoroge (@paulinenjoroge) November 30, 2024
This would be the third candidate to drop out of the race and declare their support for Raila.
Earlier this week, newly-elected Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced foregoing the country's bid to rally behind Raila.
In August this year, Somalia's former Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Adam announced dropping her bid to support Raila's.
The ODM boss now has two competitors: Djbouti's Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, and former Madagascar Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
The vote will be undertaken by the African heads of state in February next year.
Raila's candidature is being supported by the Kenyan government.
