Tinubu Supports Direct Election into ECOWAS Parliaments, Preaches Unity

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind direct election of members of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, even as he emphasised the need for members of the subregional organisation to speak with one voice in order to cement the unity and prosperity of the area.
Members of ECOWAS Parliament have always emerged through selection from elected parliamentarians of member states. This has created endless agitation that they should instead emerge through direct election for places across the region.

Speaking at the inauguration of the sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja yesterday, Tinubu, who is Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, charged leaders in the Economic Community of West African States on the need to speak with one voice for the unity and prosperity of the region.
“Honourable Members, as we inaugurate  the sixth legislature, it is evident that we are faced with profound challenges in our region that demand our unified efforts.

“Recent political developments have consequential effect on each of our member states. The wider international context in terms of security, access to markets, and climate change also presents profound challenges.
“Three Member States considering withdrawal from the community is a challenge to us. We must preserve the unity and integrity of our organisation. The ball is in your court as well as mine.
“At this critical junction, regional solidarity is imperative to  strengthening our resilience and effectiveness as a bloc, particularly against forces that aim to divide us.

“We must not allow this. We cannot afford to remain passive and ordinary spectators, while our community faces the threat of disintegration. We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaking.
“We must ensure that cooperation among us is strengthened with a view to building a sense of common destiny and purpose. No one can do this for us, we are the ones to do it, please. I take that seriously.
“In your legislative consideration and in your interaction, it is very imperative that you take seriously that we have to build the economic prosperity of our region by ourselves.

“Let us forget what has happened to us in the past, we have matured and of age to build our intellectual curiosity to develop our region.
“To this extent,  reinforcing the legitimacy of decisions taken by authority of Heads of States, is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one body.
“It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, must show similar confidence in Parliament, respect the parliament’s resolutions, which will indeed deepen democracy in our region.
“Meanwhile, in the midst of ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth and prosperity in our region.
“Like I said earlier on, it is upon us. It is  our responsibility to speak with one voice and make African Union from ECOWAS a central point of economic reform and foreign policy achievement. “

Declaring his support for direct election of members of the regional Parliament, Tinubu said the process would help actualise the vision 2050, which would ensure the people involvement in decision making process in the region.
He said, “I’m aware that the ECOWAS parliament is seeking an enhanced powers primarily through the election of its members by direct universal suffrage.
“This will increase the role the  parliamentarians must play  and the responsibilities they will assume in advancing our regional development objectives,  particularly in harmonising laws and regulations across the member states.
“Indeed, the practice of directly electing public officers aligns with the democratic principles that Nigerians upholds as it enhances the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

“This principle is also in line with the spirit of ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance. As one time legislature myself, I look forward to reviewing the proposal regarding this matter.
“We stand to support the election into the ECOWAS Parliament. We believe this will ensure that citizens have direct say in their representation and legitimacy and credibility it will provide. Thank you for thinking very carefully on this subject. “

The president, who also promised that Nigeria would continue to support the regional body, noted: “I want to assure you, that Nigeria as the host of this very important community’s institutions, will continue to support you to achieve your objectives.

“I am aware of the plan to have all ECOWAS’s institutions in one complex and all the good progress that has been made. Nigeria is also working to meet its responsibility to construct the ECOWAS Parliament headquarters in Abuja at the same complex.

“In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that as you conduct the business of six legislature, it is my hope that your discussions will provide me 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. The parliament in particular will be made effective and democracy will flourish if  we support it and we fight for it.”

The inaugural session of the Sixth Legislature of the Parliament which formally marks the commencement of the business of the legislature, was convened in pursuant to Article 28 of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament of 2016, following the end of the Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on March 8, 2024.

The president of the ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, raised the alarm of danger of disintegration of the regional body, which he said could affect all facet of life of the community.

He also noted the amount of investment made by the regional body in the three want away countries-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic which ran into $321 million.  

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remark urged members of the regional Parliament to work in unity.

He said, “Let us use ECOWAS to ensure that national boundaries are not Berlin walls separating kith and kin, but bridges of unity and progress.”

Outgoing Speaker of the 5th Parliament, Mohamed Tunis, pleaded with the members of the Sixth parliament to pursue direct election of members.