By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Tinubu has called on West African leaders to draw inspiration from Ghana’s peaceful democratic practices, emphasising the need for national unity and political stability across the region.
Speaking at the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja on Sunday, Tinubu commended Ghana’s recent presidential and parliamentary elections, praising President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for their democratic maturity.
“Ghana’s recent elections serve as a shining example of democratic culture and peaceful transition,” Tinubu said.
“This reflects the kind of political stability and national unity we must prioritise, not only in West Africa but across the African continent.”
He highlighted the concession by Ghana’s Vice President and presidential candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia, who, alongside the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), congratulated the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), even before the official announcement of results. Tinubu compared this to Nigeria’s peaceful power transfer in 2015, hailing it as a hallmark of political maturity.
The Nigerian President also lauded President Akufo-Addo for his leadership during his tenure as ECOWAS Chair, describing him as a “formidable Pan-Africanist.”
He further congratulated Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, on her appointment as Secretary General of the Commonwealth and acknowledged Senegal’s successful parliamentary elections.
During his speech, Tinubu outlined key achievements of ECOWAS under his leadership, including strides in trade integration through the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the Common External Tariff (CET). He highlighted infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline and the West Africa Power Pool as milestones in regional connectivity.
“Our peacekeeping missions in The Gambia and Guinea Bissau, as well as previous operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, demonstrate our capacity to act decisively in the face of adversity,” Tinubu said.
He added that the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism has strengthened regional security efforts.
As ECOWAS approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, Tinubu urged member states to recommit to the bloc’s founding ideals of economic integration, peace, and prosperity. “Security is not a luxury but a necessity,” he said. “Enhancing the living standards of our people is an obligation, not an aspiration.”
In his address, ECOWAS Commission President Dr Omar Touray commended Nigeria for its leadership and financial commitment under Tinubu.
He announced that Nigeria had paid 100% of its 2023 community levy and substantial remittances for 2024, marking a first in nearly two decades.
“This underscores Nigeria’s leadership and President Tinubu’s commitment to our community,” Touray said, urging other member states to meet their financial obligations.
The session was attended by the Presidents of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal, alongside other high-ranking representatives from Sierra Leone, Benin, Togo, and Cape Verde.
