104 APC Non-Serving Senators, Abbas, Yahaya, Alia, Akume, Others Congratulate Tinubu on Emergence as ECOWAS Chairman

Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan, Juliet Akoje in Abuja, George Okoh in Makurdi, Segun Awofadeji in Gombe and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The APC Non-Serving Senators Group, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, his Benue State counterpart, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Former Senate Leader and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, have described the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as a welcome development that would be good for Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.

Also, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State congratulated Tinubu on the feat.

They all congratulated the president in separate statements yesterday.

Tinubu emerged as the new Chairman of ECOWAS at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, in a unanimous endorsement on Sunday.

Buhari, had occupied the position from 2018 to 2019.

The ECOWAS chairmanship is a position held by one of the heads of states or governments of the member countries, chosen on a rotating basis for one-year tenure.

The APC Non-Serving Senators said they were delighted to extend congratulations to Tinubu, noting that the achievement reflected Tinubu’s exceptional leadership skills, diplomatic acumen, and unwavering commitment to regional development.

“As members of the All Progressives Congress (APC),we take immense pride in President Tinubu’s elevation to this esteemed position.

“We firmly believe that his vast experience and visionary approach will steer ECOWAS towards greater heights of regional integration, socio-economic prosperity and peace.

“President Tinubu’s exemplary governance record and steadfast commitment to good governance makes him an ideal choice to lead ECOWAS during these pivotal times.

“His extensive political background, both at the National and International levels, will enable him to effectively address the region’s challenges and harness its immense potential,” the statement added.

They noted that under Tinubu’s astute leadership, they were confident that ECOWAS would further strengthen economic cooperation and foster closer ties among member states.

“His unwavering dedication to upholding democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law will undoubtedly solidify ECOWAS’s position as a vanguard of regional stability and progress,” they added.

Also, the Speaker, Abbas, congratulated Tinubu on his emergence as the Chairman of ECOWAS, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Musa Abdullahi Krishi.

The speaker expressed confidence in the ability of Tinubu to deploy his wealth of experience in public administration in spearheading sustainable socio-economic plans for the African sub-region and that the Nigerian president would join hands with other ECOWAS leaders to turn things around in the sub-regional body.

“It is an affirmation of President Tinubu’s popularity beyond Nigeria and among his colleagues in West Africa. There are no doubts that the African sub-region will witness exemplary leadership with the Nigerian President as ECOWAS chairman,” Abbas said.

Akume, also congratulated Tinubu following his emergence as the 36th Chairman of ECOWAS.

In a statement signed by Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, the SGF noted that the president’s emergence as the Chairman of ECOWAS, would usher in refreshing season of democratic stability in the sub-region and cooperation among member states in order to realise the dreams and aspirations of it’s founding fathers.

He expressed the hope that his tenure would bring abundant blessings and prosperity to member states with the expected flourishing of economic activities, improvements in security and safety of lives and property among member states.

SGF wishes the President a successful tenure as ECOWAS Chairman.

Also, Yahaya extended congratulations and best wishes to the Tinubu.

In a congratulatory message he personally signed, Governor Inuwa, who is also the Chairman of the northern states’ governors’ forum, said Tinubu’s election to chair the highly influential regional body, was a great achievement that reflects his outstanding leadership qualities, visionary disposition, dedication, and commitment to the development of Nigeria and West African region. 

He expressed optimism that the President’s leadership of ECOWAS would inspire the people of West Africa to work together towards a common goal of peace, prosperity, and progress, in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe made available to journalists yesterday.

“As we face the challenges of the 21st century, it is more important than ever that leaders work together to address the complex issues that affect our countries. Your election as Chairman of ECOWAS provides a unique opportunity to bring the member states together to address these challenges and to work towards a brighter future for all of us,” the Gombe governor said.

Alia, also congratulated Tinubu over his emergence as Chairman of ECOWAS. He said the choice of Tinubu as ECOWAS Chairman was perfect and timely, adding that the experience of the Nigerian President in leadership would have direct bearing on the challenges of unity and progress in the West African region.

Alia called on Nigerians to pray for Tinubu so that God would give him strength and wisdom to render effective leadership services to the people he has been chosen to lead.

On his part, Ndoma-Egba said: “It is significant that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is assuming an important regional role so soon after his swearing-in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By this role he is expected to give leadership to the West African Sub-region. And it’s a stepping stone into global politics. So, it is a very, very important and welcome development.”

Also, Jime said: “As head of ECOWAS, the President I believe will bring his considerable wealth of knowledge in economic management to bear on the sub region in readiness for our integration and participation in the emerging African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) such that our economic fortunes will be better enhanced. This is a welcome development and signposts the arrival of Nigeria at the commanding heights of Africa’s development.”

The APC, Rivers State chapter lauded Tinubu, in a statement signed by Mr. Darlington Nwauju, State Publicity Secretary of the party.

According to him, “Rivers APC views the Tinubu’s new position in ECOWAS as window with which democratic institutions within the sub-region can gain greater significance.

“The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress hails the emergence of His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of West African States at the 63rd Ordinary meeting of the sub-regional body.”