Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian President, has hammered on the imperative of ECOWAS member countries to consolidating their bonds, fortify alliances, and stand firm against divisive influences.
Addressing the commencement of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, Tinubu, in his capacity as the chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, emphasized the vital importance of regional unity in enhancing the resilience and efficacy of the bloc during this pivotal moment.
He stressed that member states cannot stand idly by as the community confronts the looming threat of dissolution.
The President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said: “We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaken. We must ensure that cooperation amongst us is strengthened, with a view to building a sense of common destiny and purpose. No one can do this for us. We must come together.
“To this extent, reinforcing the legitimacy of the decisions taken by the Authority of Heads of State is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one indivisible body. It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, show similar confidence in the Parliament, which would indeed deepen democracy in our region.
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”Meanwhile, in the midst of ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth, and prosperity in our region.”
He reiterated Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to the goals of the community and, consequently, the essential objectives upon which the ECOWAS Parliament was inaugurated.
Acknowledging the crucial role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the bloc’s pursuit of a future marked by peace and prosperity for all, President Tinubu emphasized that success hinges on the dedicated contributions and diligent efforts of the community’s legislative body.
“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 ECOWAS Parliament 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.
He also mentioned that the concept aligns with the essence of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They expressed anticipation towards assessing a suggestion concerning this issue, emphasizing readiness to endorse direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament, drawing from their past experience as a lawmaker.