President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, urged member-nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to unite and resist divisive influences aiming to fracture the community. Addressing attendees at the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu stressed the critical need for regional solidarity to bolster the bloc’s resilience and efficacy during these challenging times.
He underscored that member-states must not passively observe as the community confronts the specter of disunity. “We stand united against such forces,” he declared, emphasizing the necessity of fortifying cooperation among member nations to foster a shared sense of destiny and purpose. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of reinforcing the legitimacy of decisions made by the Authority of Heads of State, asserting that such unity sends a resolute message of ECOWAS’s indivisibility. Additionally, he advocated for reciprocal confidence between the executive and parliamentary branches, asserting that this mutual trust would deepen democracy in the region.
Affirming Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to ECOWAS’s goals, President Tinubu reiterated the nation’s dedication to the fundamental objectives underpinning the establishment of the ECOWAS Parliament. He recognized the pivotal role of the Parliament in steering the bloc towards a future characterized by peace and prosperity, highlighting the indispensable contributions of the legislative body.
President Tinubu also endorsed the ECOWAS Parliament’s pursuit of enhanced powers, particularly through direct universal suffrage for its members. He emphasized the alignment of this approach with democratic principles and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. As a former legislator himself, he expressed readiness to consider proposals for direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament, underscoring the importance of citizen participation in representation.
Furthermore, President Tinubu pledged Nigeria’s ongoing support for the ECOWAS Parliament, affirming plans for consolidating all ECOWAS institutions into a single complex and the construction of the Parliament’s headquarters in Abuja. He encouraged the Sixth Legislature to address the region’s pressing concerns and formulate resolutions conducive to peace and progress, assuring them of Nigeria’s unwavering assistance in advancing ECOWAS’s mission.
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