President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday he would support a proposal for direct election into the parliament of the Economic Community of West African States.
Tinubu said the move would give citizens of member states a say in who represents them at sub-regional levels.
“As a one-time legislator myself, I look forward to reviewing a proposal regarding this matter, and we stand ready to support direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament,” said Tinubu when he swore in 97 members into the 6th Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS at the Abuja International Conference Centre.
His comments came against the backdrop of the ECOWAS parliament being populated by existing lawmakers from the 15-member states.
Tinubu, who spoke as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said, “I am aware that the ECOWAS Parliament is seeking enhanced powers, primarily through the election of its members by direct universal suffrage.
“This will increase the role parliamentarians must play and the responsibilities they will assume in advancing our regional development objectives, particularly in harmonizing laws and regulations across the member states.
“The practice of directly electing public officials aligns with the democratic principles that Nigeria upholds, as it enhances the legitimacy of our democratic institutions. This principle also aligns with the spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. We believe this would ensure that citizens have a direct say in their representation, in addition to the legitimacy and credibility such a process will confer.”
Tinubu called on ECOWAS member states to come together, strengthen ties, and reject forces bent on causing division within the community.
He argued that regional solidarity is imperative to strengthen the bloc’s resilience and effectiveness at this critical juncture.
Therefore, member states cannot afford to remain passive spectators while the community faces the threat of disintegration.
“We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring our unity remains unshaken. We must strengthen cooperation amongst us to build a sense of common destiny and purpose. No one can do this for us. We must come together,” he clamoured.
Tinubu reasoned that reinforcing the legitimacy of the decisions taken by the Authority of Heads of State is critical to conveying the message that ECOWAS is one indivisible body.
On the other hand, he said it is crucial that the executives show similar confidence in the Parliament, which would deepen democracy in the region.
“Meanwhile, amid ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth, and prosperity in our region,” the President stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the aspirations of the community and, by extension, the fundamental objectives upon which the ECOWAS Parliament was established.
Affirming the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the bloc’s journey towards a future of peace and prosperity for all, the President said success cannot be achieved without the loyal contribution and hard work of the community’s legislative agency.
Tinubu also stated that Nigeria, as the host of the community’s institution, will continue to support the Parliament to achieve its objectives.
“I am aware of the plan to have all ECOWAS institutions in one complex and of the good progress that has been made.
“Nigeria is also working to meet its responsibilities in constructing the ECOWAS Parliament’s Headquarters in Abuja within the same complex,” he affirmed.
He expressed hope that members of the 6th Legislature, will, in their deliberations, 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 Parliament, in whatever endeavours you are engaged, to move the ECOWAS mission forward,” Tinubu avowed.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who chairs the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, thanked members of the outgoing 5th Legislature, especially its Speaker, Dr. Sidie Tunis, for their “invaluable contributions to the ECOWAS Parliament and the Organization as a whole.”
Tuggar urged the new members of Parliament to harmonise their positions on key issues with the decisions of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
He argued that “consistency in our collective stance will strengthen our voice on the international stage and deny ammunition to those who seek division and conflict.”
Meanwhile, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, warned that the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Guinea from the bloc puts ECOWAS’ investments worth nearly $1 billion at risk.
In January 2024, the three countries announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing “illegal sanctions” attracted by an unconstitutional change of government.
But Touray warned that “On the economic and financial front, the withdrawal of the three states could result in default or suspension of all ECOWAS projects and programmes in these countries worth more than $500m.
“It should be noted that… the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development currently has 27 ongoing public sector projects in the three countries valued at approximately $321.6m. 38 percent of this is in the form of investment in the public sector, while 61 percent is constituted by investment in the private sector.”
Therefore, Touray tasked the new representatives to take seriously their role in keeping the nearly five-decade-old bloc together and stronger.
The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, was established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993.
The initial protocol establishing the Parliament was signed in Abuja on August 6, 1994, providing for the structure, composition, competence, and other matters relating to the Parliament.
The Parliament is composed of 115 seats. Each member state has a guaranteed minimum of five seats, while the remaining 40 seats are shared based on population.
However, only 97 members, comprising lawmakers from various member states, were sworn in Thursday. They include 35 members from Nigeria and five from Benin Republic, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leon and Togo. Others include eight members from Ghana, seven from Cote d’Ivoire and six from Senegal and Guinea.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have no representatives in the sixth Parliament despite receiving invitations to send representatives, Touray announced earlier.
Citing Touray’s remarks, Tinubu also appealed to the three countries to reconsider their stance, as their exit could spell far-reaching consequences for their citizens as well as the sub-region.
