President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, in Guinea-Bissau, emerged the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States.
In his remarks, the Nigerian leader called on ECOWAS to “stand firm on democracy,” declaring that, “We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage, but it is the best form of government.”
Tinubu warned that terrorism and the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa had reached alarming levels and demanded urgent, concerted actions.
Therefore, he called for collective action from member-states, pledging that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonised to actualise the dreams of ECOWAS.
The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, revealed this in a statement he signed on Sunday titled, ‘President Tinubu emerges as new ECOWAS Chairman, harps on regional security.’
According to the statement, in a unanimous endorsement, Tinubu emerged as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
Tinubu, who accepted the honour on behalf of Nigeria, pledged to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration of the regional organisation.
While decrying the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa, Tinubu charged ECOWAS to stand firm in defence of democracy.
“There is no one among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources, we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people,” Tinubu said.