President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has issued a passionate call for solidarity among ECOWAS member states, emphasizing the need to rebuff divisive elements threatening regional cohesion.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu highlighted the critical importance of strengthening ties within the community to bolster resilience and effectiveness amid challenging times.
“Furthermore, to realize the ECOWAS ‘Vision 2050’, we require greater involvement of the people in the decision-making processes of the community. That can only be achieved through their duly elected representatives who, being members of their national parliaments, are seconded to the community parliament. We are here, collectively, to serve all the good and great people of West Africa.
“I am aware that the is seeking enhanced powers, primarily through the election of its members by direct universal suffrage. This will increase the role parliamentarians must play and the responsibilities that they will assume in advancing our regional development objectives, particularly in harmonizing laws and regulations across the member states.
“Indeed, the practice of directly electing public officials aligns with the democratic principles that Nigeria upholds, as it enhances the legitimacy of our democratic institutions. This principle is also in line with the spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. As a one-time legislator myself, I look forward to reviewing a proposal regarding this matter, and we stand ready to support direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament. We believe this would ensure that citizens have a direct say in their representation – in addition to the legitimacy and credibility such a process will confer,” the President said.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to ECOWAS objectives, Tinubu stressed the pivotal role of the ECOWAS Parliament in fostering peace and prosperity throughout West Africa. He endorsed the Parliament’s quest for increased powers, particularly through direct universal suffrage for its members, as a step towards greater democratic representation and regional development alignment.
“As a one-time legislator myself, I look forward to reviewing a proposal regarding this matter, and we stand ready to support direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament,” remarked President Tinubu, aligning Nigeria’s democratic principles with ECOWAS’s vision for inclusive governance.
President Tinubu concluded by assuring continued support from Nigeria, the host of ECOWAS institutions, towards realizing the community’s shared goals and aspirations.
The call for unity and rejection of divisive forces echoes throughout the region, amplifying ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering stability, growth, and prosperity for all its member states.
