By Linus Aleke
A Member of the Nigerian Delegation to Community Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Sen. Smart Adeyemi, said, the ECOWAS Parliament is powerless and therefore cannot make any difference.
He said, that unless the sub-regional Parliament is empowered by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, the resources being budgeted for its activities are nothing but wasteful.
The Nigerian lawmaker, expressed this resentment during a press conference, at the sidelines of the just concluded 2024 First Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
He noted that without the support and empowerment of the Heads of State, the ECOWAS Parliament will remain a mere jamboree, wasting resources while the people continue to suffer
Sen. Adeyemi, said, that the Ordinary and Extraordinary Sessions, Parliamentary Seminars, Delocalized Meetings and Committee Sittings of the Parliament are mere talk shops, arguing that its resolutions are routinely ignored by West African Heads of State.
This is as he proposed far-reaching reforms to the Parliament, suggesting it convene only once a quarter and focus on producing meaningful discussions and decisions that complement the efforts of member states.
He also expressed the need for the Parliament to have the power to enforce its resolutions and hold regional leaders accountable.
Sen. Adeyemi, who was a former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), said: “The resolutions passed by the parliament are not implemented by the heads of government. It is a problem because whenever we discuss issues, our resolutions are not respected. The Speaker himself is not even invited to present reports at meetings of the Heads of Government”.
The angry MP enumerated the numerous challenges facing West Africa, including poverty, insecurity, and inadequate healthcare, adding that these issues require concrete action and not just empty discussions.
The Nigerian MP said: “People are dying, they cannot pay their bills, and schools are falling apart. We need to make a difference in the lives of the people, not just gather for tea parties”.
The Heads of Government, he said, must decide if they truly want the Parliament to exist and function effectively or not.
Sen. Adeyemi’s remarks raise critical questions about the effectiveness of the ECOWAS Parliament and its ability to address the pressing issues facing West Africa.
His call for reform and empowerment resonates with concerns expressed by many citizens and regional stakeholders.
Whether leaders heed this call and take concrete steps to strengthen the Parliament remains to be seen.
