Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson received a huge boost Wednesday, April 3.

This is after Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo endorsed Raila’s bid for the continental job.

President William Ruto revealed this during a joint press conference at President Nana’s office in Accra. The two leaders had held talks during President Ruto’s state visit to Ghana.

“Your Excellency (Nana), my Dear Brother, I thank you most sincerely for accepting to support Kenya’s candidature for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (2025-2028),” Ruto said.

But the endorsement came with reciprocity — President Ruto assured Ghana of Kenya’s support for the candidature of Ms Shirley Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General for the period 2024-2029.

Raila, Kenya’s opposition leader, is eyeing to replace Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, with elections scheduled for February 2025.

He has reportedly received support of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.

If the ODM leader is successful in his quest, he will serve for a four-year term (2025-2028).