NewsNigeriaPoliticsECOWAS Urges Protesters to Heed Tinubu’s Call for Dialogue

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has appealed to protesters in Nigeria to sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, ECOWAS said it is in support of President Bola Tinubu’s call for dialogue on Sunday.

“The commission welcomes the State of the Nation address of August 4, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu and urges the protesters and all stakeholders to heed the President’s call for inclusive dialogue for the resolution of all grievances and the preservation of peace and security in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region at large,” the statement reads.

The regional body expressed regret over the violence that has trailed the protests, saying that it “deeply regrets reports of violence in the course of the protests and the unfortunate death of some protesters as well as alleged looting and destruction of public and private properties.”

ECOWAS extended condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathised with the government and people of Nigeria over the losses.

The Commission also reminded protesters of their right to peaceful assembly, saying, that it “recognises the right of citizens to peaceful protests, as guaranteed by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.”

President Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS chairman, had earlier appealed to protesters to embrace dialogue, saying, “I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens”