President Bola Tinubu yesterday called on ECOWAS member states to come together, strengthen ties, and reject forces bent on causing division within the community.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said regional solidarity is imperative to strengthen the bloc’s resilience and effectiveness at this critical juncture.
He emphasized that member states cannot afford to remain passive spectators while the community faces the threat of disintegration.
Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, was quoted as saying, “We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaken. We must ensure that cooperation amongst us is strengthened, to build a sense of common destiny and purpose. No one can do this for us. We must come together.
“To this extent, reinforcing the legitimacy of the decisions taken by the Authority of Heads of State is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one indivisible body. It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, show similar confidence in the Parliament, which would indeed deepen democracy in our region. Meanwhile, amid ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth, and prosperity in our region,” the President said.
READ ALSO:Military name top terrorists’ commanders killed in three months
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the aspirations of the community and, by extension, the fundamental objectives upon which the ECOWAS Parliament was established.
Affirming the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the bloc’s journey towards a future of peace and prosperity for all, President Tinubu said success cannot be achieved without the loyal contribution and hard work of the community’s legislative agency.
“Furthermore, to realize the ECOWAS ‘Vision 2050’, we require greater involvement of the people in the decision-making processes of the community. That can only be achieved through their duly elected representatives who, being members of their national parliaments, are seconded to the community parliament. We are here, collectively, to serve all the good and great people of West Africa.
“I am aware that the ECOWAS Parliament is seeking enhanced powers, primarily through the election of its members by direct universal suffrage. This will increase the role parliamentarians must play and the responsibilities that they will assume in advancing our regional development objectives, particularly in harmonizing laws and regulations across the member states.
“Indeed, the practice of directly electing public officials aligns with the democratic principles that Nigeria upholds, 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 one-time legislator myself, I look forward to reviewing a proposal regarding this matter, and we stand ready to support direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament. We believe this would ensure that citizens have a direct say in their representation – in addition to the legitimacy and credibility such a process will confer,” the President said.
Tinubu also stated that Nigeria, as the host of the community’s institution, will continue to support the Parliament to achieve its objectives.
“I am aware of the plan to have all ECOWAS institutions in one complex and of the good progress that has been made. Nigeria is also working to meet its responsibilities in constructing the ECOWAS Parliament’s Headquarters in Abuja within the same complex.
“I would like to emphasize that, as you conduct the business of the 6th Legislature, I hope that your discussions will provide you the opportunity to address the prime concerns of the region and come up with resolutions that will lead to the attainment of peace and the advancement of all.
“You can stand assured that Nigeria is always ready to support the ECOWAS Parliament, in whatever endeavours you are engaged in, to move the ECOWAS mission forward,” the President stated.
*Inaugurates 6th ECOWAS Parliament without a speaker
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, inaugurated the Community Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, otherwise known as ECOWAS Parliament.
But the Togolese delegation to the 6th Parliament that was supposed to produce the new speaker was absent.
The Togolese delegation was supposed to produce the next Speaker of the Parliament, following the existing tradition of rotation of the speakership, as established by the Parliament in line with alphabetical order.
ThisNigeria gathered that power play by the Togolese authority prompted its inability to submit the list of its delegation before the date of the inauguration.
Further findings by our correspondent also revealed that the country’s inability to send its list when due was not unconnected with the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country.
Some insiders, however, dismissed the claim, insisting that the Togolese President wanted to foist his brother on the Parliament in contrast to the tradition where the deputy speaker is already groomed for the job.
The Gambian delegation is also embroiled in a legal tussle, following the removal of former MPs who are perceived to be opposed to the president’s style of leadership back home.
The outgoing Speaker, Dr Sidie Mohammed Tunis, told members of the newly inaugurated 6th Legislature, that the work of a Parliament could not be exhausted.
President Bola Tinubu also pledged his support for the proposed direct election of members to the parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, underscored the imperative of the Parliament to continue to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of ECOWAS.
He noted that the balance between executive, judicial, and legislative arms, was critical for effective, responsive, and transparent governance.
He noted that in the face of the various challenges confronting the region, including security, as well as the unity of the region, the role of the Parliament was more important than ever.
“This was recently demonstrated by the key role played by Senegal’s judiciary in ensuring that national elections were not delayed. ECOWAS is no different. Let us remember that democracy is a process not an event.
“The Parliament, and other Community Institutions, are of vital importance in promoting democracy and regional stability. It is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our organisation.
“Collaboration between the Commission, Court, and Parliament is essential to ensure the smooth implementation of policies and programs that benefit our citizens. I encourage you to maintain constructive dialogue with other bodies and to align your efforts with the broader objectives of ECOWAS,” he noted.
Tuggar, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, said that he looks forward to a more robust engagement and collaboration with the Parliament, as the closest representatives of the Community citizens.
This, he said, was to amplify the values of ECOWAS and increase its visibility through programmes and projects that have direct beneficial impacts on the citizens.
The parliament is composed of 115 seats. Each member state has a guaranteed minimum of five seats, while the remaining 40 seats are shared based on population.
They include 35 members from Nigeria and five each from the Benin Republic, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Others include eight members from Ghana, seven from Cote d’Ivoire, and six each from Senegal and Guinea.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have no representatives in the sixth parliament, as these states have expressed their intention to exit the bloc.
