Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, has renewed the call to strengthen the mandate of ECOWAS Parliament and adopt the proposals to move it from an advisory body to one with enhanced legislative authority.

Speaking Monday at the opening of the First Ordinary Session of the Parliament of Parliament of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) for the year, 2026, Monday in Abuja, Abbas canvassed greater oversight capacity and a more direct role in regional decision making by the Parliament.

“It must function not only as a deliberative body but as a platform for aligning democratic practice with the expectations of citizens across member states. It is important to acknowledge that this question of relevance is not new”, he said.

A Parliament with limited influence cannot adequately respond to a region facing democratic reversals, security pressures and economic uncertainty. Strengthening the powers, relevance and operational capacity of this institution is therefore not a procedural ambition. It is a strategic necessity for regional stability.

“A more empowered Parliament would enhance accountability within the Community, deepen citizen representation at the regional level and provide a stronger democratic anchor in times of stress.”

The call for empowered regional Parliament became necessary following the shaky democratic institutions across the region.

He noted that democracy is under close examination in the region to see whether democratic governance is producing outcomes that citizens can recognise and trust. He observed that in several countries within the sub-region, voter participation has declined and public confidence in institutions weakened while the regular unconstitutional changes of government signals underlying institutional stress.

“These developments require a direct and measured response. The issue is not whether democracy remains the preferred system of governance.

Evidence across the region continues to show that citizens reject military rule. The issue is whether democratic systems are delivering sufficiently to sustain that preference. This places a premium on performance.

“Electoral legitimacy must be matched by governance outcomes. Security, economic stability and fairness in public administration are no longer aspirational goals. They are the basis on which citizens evaluate the state’s credibility. Where these are absent, the space for disruption expands”, Abbas added.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, said developments within the region reaffirmed the fact that democracy remains the unshakeable foundation of the community.

While congratulating the newly elected President of the Republic of Benin, Mr Romuald Wadagni on his victory, the speaker reminded Cabo Verde and Guinea, whose legislative elections hold later this month that every free and fair election strengthens the region’s credibility, democratic resilience and the legitimacy of national assemblies.

“The Parliament places high value on stability and peace within our West African sub-region. Accordingly, it condemns the terrorist attacks carried out on April 25 in several localities in the Republic of Mali and expresses its solidarity with the Malian people.

“We are meeting at a time when the international environment is marked by tensions and violent conflicts in the Middle East, in Europe, and on our own continent, these crises, with their troubling energy implications, are also driving inflationary pressures, particularly on foodstuffs and agricultural inputs, thereby seriously affecting our already fragile economies.

“Moreover, our region continues to suffer from terrorism and violent extremism, maritime piracy, cross-border crime, and the adverse effects of climate change, it is for this reason that I have actively engaged in various international dialogue platforms.”

Adding: “These major gatherings shared a common objective – to underscore the urgent need to consolidate peace in a world undergoing rapid transformation and geopolitical realignment.
“Faced with the multiplication of flashpoints, no region is immune. The message must be clear – peace cannot be decreed, it must be patiently built through dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect.”

The Speaker therefore urged her colleagues to echo such imperative to their Member States and partners. According to her, the Parliament must contribute meaningfully to a broader reflection on the future of regional integration process. “Our session must therefore produce bold resolutions and informed opinions commensurate with the challenges before us”, she admonished