President Bola Tinubu has urged member states of ECOWAS to unite and reject any attempts to divide the community. Speaking at the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, Tinubu emphasized the need for regional solidarity to strengthen the bloc’s resilience and effectiveness.
He highlighted that member states cannot afford to be passive while facing the threat of disintegration and called for strengthened cooperation and a sense of common destiny.
Tinubu also stressed the importance of reinforcing the legitimacy of decisions made by the Authority of Heads of State and the confidence in the Parliament to deepen democracy in the region. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the community’s aspirations and recognized the vital role of the ECOWAS Parliament in achieving peace and prosperity.
In addition, in order to achieve the ECOWAS ‘Vision 2050’, it is crucial to involve the people more in the decision-making processes of the community. This can only be accomplished through the participation of their duly elected representatives who are members of their national parliaments and are seconded to the community parliament. Our collective purpose is to serve the people of West Africa, ensuring their well-being and progress.
The ECOWAS Parliament is seeking to enhance its powers, primarily through the direct universal suffrage of its members. This will significantly increase the role and responsibilities of parliamentarians in advancing our regional development objectives, particularly in harmonizing laws and regulations across member states.
The practice of directly electing public officials aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles, 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 former legislator myself, I eagerly anticipate reviewing a proposal on this matter, and we are prepared to support direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament. We believe this will ensure that citizens have a direct voice in their representation, further enhancing the legitimacy and credibility of the process.
President Tinubu also affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the Parliament in achieving its objectives, as Nigeria serves as the host of the community’s institution. We are aware of the plan to consolidate all ECOWAS institutions in one complex, and we are making progress in meeting our responsibilities by constructing the ECOWAS Parliament’s Headquarters in Abuja within the same complex.
As the 6th Legislature conducts its business, it is my hope that your discussions will provide an opportunity to address the key concerns of the region and generate effective solutions.
