Buhari emerges ECOWAS chairman, pledges to take organisation higher

President Muhammadu Buhari was yesterday elected the new Chairman, Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lome, Togo.

His election was one of the highpoints of the 53rd session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, which held in the Togolese capital.

In his acceptance speech, Buhari, who commended his colleagues for his election, noted that he did not offer himself for the position, adding that other leaders of the organisation refused to take his no for an answer.

He, however, told the sub-regional leaders: “I am truly humbled and pledge to serve and work with all of you to deliver on peace, security, good governance and socio-economic development at the sub-regional level and take our organisation to greater heights.”

President Buhari also commended his predecessor and President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe for successfully hosting two crucial meetings of the Joint Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and ECOWAS, as well as the organisation’s 53rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, yesterday noted that the outgoing chairman had earlier presented Buhari with the Emblem of ECOWAS, adding that the next meeting of the organisation would hold in Abuja on December 21, 2018.