President Bola Tinubu was elected the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on Sunday.
President Tinubu’s election was the unanimous decision of the leaders of member states of the regional group at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
President Tinubu enthusiastically accepted the honour, on behalf of Nigeria, with a solemn pledge to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration.
“I’m grateful to my distinguished colleagues for the honour of being elected as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the 63rd Ordinary Session that took place today in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau,” the President said.
“The development is a noteworthy affirmation of Nigeria’s continued leadership in the sub-region and the African continent. As Chairman of the important coalition, I renew my dedication and that of our nation to the cause of peace and progress as we foster the collaboration and commitment required to tackle trans-border issues of security, economic growth and sustainable development.”
The Nigerian President decried the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa, calling on his counterparts to “stand firm on democracy” while stressing that, “We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage, but it is the best form of government.”
He called for collective action from member-states to combat insecurity and terrorism affecting the progress and development of the region, pledging that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonised to actualise the dreams of the organisation.
President Tinubu, who emerged as the Chairman of ECOWAS on his first participation at the summit, took over from Umaro Embaló, the president of Guinea-Bissau. He will hold the office for a year.
ECOWAS was formed on 28 May 1975 and has 15 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
