Nigeria’s President and Chairman, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bola Tinubu, has tasked ECOWAS Parliament on unity and prosperity of the sub-region.
Speaking yesterday at the inauguration of the legislature’s sixth legislature, Tinubu warned against West Africa remaining as spectators, while the community faces the threat of disintegration. He charged the new parliamentarians to prioritise regional solidarity and stand against forces of dissolution.
“We must ensure that cooperation among us is strengthened. We have to build the economic prosperity of our region by ourselves. The executives must respect the parliament, which will deepen democracy in our region.
“Meanwhile, amid ongoing challenges, our partnership can guarantee stability and prosperity in our region,” Tinubu urged. However, the new parliament is already confronted with the challenge of electing a new Speaker due to the absence of Togo.
In his remarks, outgoing Speaker, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, stated that the fifth legislature witnessed a remarkable defence of human rights, democracy, rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance.
Describing the day as historic and emotional for him, Tunis insisted that the parliament has contributed greatly in upholding the objectives of the community towards strengthening representative democracy across the region.
Noting that the last parliament was beset with economic upheavals, security unrest, the COVID-19 pandemic and political uncertainties, he was elated that amid the challenges, the body remained resilient and committed.
He said 83 draft Community Acts were considered and 93 resolutions were reached. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair, ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, submitted that in the face of insecurity and political instability besetting the region, the role of the parliament becomes more crucial than ever.
He, therefore, sought sustainable synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of “our organisation.”
ALSO, President Tinubu has backed the proposal for the direct election of members into the parliament, stressing that the system aligns with the principle of ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance.
He believed that direct election would give citizens of member states a say in the legislature.The Nigerian leader noted that as a former legislator, he looked forward to reviewing the proposal for direct election.
“This ensures that citizens have a direct say in their representation, legitimacy and credibility it will provide,” he said. He assured the parliament that Nigeria, as host of the community, will continually support them to achieve their objectives.
Following the exit of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the bloc, the trio have no representatives in the newly inaugurated parliament. Consequently, the President of ECOWAS Commission, President, Dr. Omar Touray, appealed to them to reconsider their stance, noting that their exit has far-reaching effects on their citizens and the region.
