President Bola Tinubu has been named the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States’ Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Tinubu was voted head of the regional group during its 63rd Ordinary Session on Sunday afternoon in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau’s capital.
“We will take democracy seriously, Democracy is very tough but it is the form of government,” the Nigerian leader said after he received handover documents from the outgoing chairman who is Guinea-Bissau’s President, Umaro Embaló.
The position of the ECOWAS Chairmanship is occupied by one of the heads of state or government of the member nations, selected in a rotational manner to serve a one-year term.
The position of President was held by former President Buhari during the period spanning from 2018 to 2019.
Tinubu was officially sworn in as the 16th democratically elected president of Nigeria on the 29th of May, 2023.
On his emergence as Chairman on his first participation at the summit, having just started out as the elected leader of Nigeria, President Tinubu stated that he was humbled and honoured by the trust to assume the leadership of the regional body, pledging his commitment to serve the interest of the community.
He said: “Indeed, I’m humbled and honored by this trust, and want to assure you of my unalloyed commitment to provide the necessary leadership with dedication to serve the interest of the community.”
To underscore his commitment towards regional integration, the Nigerian President declared that he would prioritize political stability, peace and security, regional economic integration and strengthening of the ECOWAS institutions, declaring that democracy and good governance remain the abiding cornerstone of peace and sustainable development. While decrying the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa where soldiers have toppled the popular mandate of the people through barrel of guns, President Tinubu charged ECOWAS to stand firm in defence of democracy.
“We must stand firm on democracy. There is no governance, freedom and rule of law without Democracy. 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.
