Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, says the West African subregion would no longer experience military coups under his leadership.
Politics Nigeria recalls that Tinubu emerged chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday.
Tinubu disclosed this at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Bissau.
The Nigerian president, who was elected at the session, takes over from the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo.
The summit is the first international engagement of President Tinubu on the African continent since his swearing-in on 29 May.
President Tinubu called for collective action from member-states, pledging that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonised to actualise the dreams of ECOWAS.
“On peace and security, the threat has reached an alarming level, and needs urgent actions in addressing the challenges. Indeed, without a peaceful environment, progress and development in the region will continue to remain elusive. In this regard, we must remain committed to the utilisation of all regional frameworks at our disposal to address the menace of insecurity,” Tinubu said.
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,” he declared.
