…Tinubu Bows Out with Call for Unity and Democracy
West African leaders have chosen President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, bringing Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-term tenure to a close.
The announcement was made during the 67th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the symbolic handover of the community’s emblem marked the transition of leadership.
President Tinubu, who was first elected in 2023 in Guinea-Bissau and re-elected in July 2024 in Abuja, described his time at the helm of the regional bloc as both “an honour” and “a privilege.”
“As I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism for the future of West Africa,” Tinubu said.
Reflecting on the state of the region during his time as chair, Tinubu acknowledged the mounting political and security pressures faced by member states, but called for unity and strategic leadership moving forward.
“I remain confident that with the continued cooperation of all its members, ECOWAS will scale greater heights in our collective pursuit of peace, security, stability, and prosperity for our people and our region,” he said.
While urging leaders not to lose focus on democratic ideals, Tinubu highlighted the importance of inclusive governance, especially for youth, women, and vulnerable groups.
“Let us deepen cooperation, uphold diplomatic principles, and foster inclusive growth that leaves no one behind—especially our youth, women, and vulnerable populations, who remain central to the future of our region,” he said.
On democracy and integration, the Nigerian president added: “Our organisation must continue to strike a fine balance between its core regional mandate of economic integration and the complex political, security, and governance challenges, including the preservation of democratic values in our region.
“Economic integration cannot be superimposed on an untenable political environment. That is why we must remain steadfast in our resolve to rise to these emerging challenges.”
He also commended ECOWAS institutions and staff for their professionalism in organising the summit and supporting the body’s work.
“As you return to your respective countries, let us remain resolute in our shared mission to deepen our integration, protect our people, and build a prosperous, secure, and united West Africa,” Tinubu said in his parting remarks.
Taking the reins, President Bio laid out four clear priorities for his leadership: restoring constitutional order and strengthening democracy, improving regional security collaboration, unlocking economic potential through deeper integration, and rebuilding ECOWAS institutional credibility.
“We must engage transitional governments constructively and support member states in building stronger democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law,” he declared.
On security, the Sierra Leonean leader did not mince words: “We must overhaul our collective security architecture—from intelligence sharing to rapid response capabilities—to confront new threats with unity and resolve.”
He stressed that economic cooperation must lead to real impact across member states. “The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, regional infrastructure, and cross-border value chains must become engines of job creation, trade, and resilience, especially for our women and youth,” he said.
Acknowledging the trust placed in him, Bio expressed gratitude and pledged to lead a more effective and people-focused ECOWAS.
“ECOWAS must reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people. This is how we will rebuild trust in regional cooperation,” he said.
He lauded President Tinubu’s leadership, describing it as a solid base for continuity: “Your tenure was marked by unwavering commitment to regional dialogue, economic recovery and peace building. I’m humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established. Thank you for your experience, leadership.”
Bio painted a sobering picture of the state of the region, describing it as standing “at a crossroads” as it battles terrorism, political unrest, illicit arms flows, and rising demands from citizens for justice and opportunity.
“Our region is at a crossroads, the West Africa we lead today is facing serious challenges, some long-standing, others new and evolving. We are still confronting insecurity in the Sahel and coastal states, terrorism, political instability, illicit arms flow and transnational organized crimes continue to test the resilience of our nations and the effectiveness of our institutions,” he said.
“The democratic space is under strain, in parts of our region, the constitutional order has been disrupted. Yet across West Africa, citizens, especially our youth, are demanding not just elections, but accountability, transparency and a fair stake in national life,” he added.
Bio also noted the economic hardships plaguing the region, stressing the urgency of cooperation to weather global shocks such as inflation, food insecurity, and debt vulnerabilities.
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One comment
Fashionandstylex
July 3, 2025 at 7:17 am
a big congratulations to him