President Bola Tinubu on Sunday hailed Ghana’s recent peaceful and transparent general elections, recommending them as a model for the rest of West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, he urged leaders across the region to draw inspiration from Ghana’s democratic maturity and commitment to national unity.
Tinubu commended President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for the resounding success of their presidential and parliamentary elections, setting a high standard for the region.
“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritize our country’s national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also across the entire African continent,” Tinubu said.
Despite the challenges of interrupted democratic governance in some West African nations, Tinubu noted that the region has continued to record democratic gains, citing Ghana’s election on December 7, 2024 as a shining example.
He highlighted the significant gesture made by one of the leading candidates, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who conceded defeat and congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) even before the official announcement of the election results. Tinubu drew a parallel to Nigeria’s 2015 election, calling it a demonstration of political maturity and respect for the will of the people.
The Nigerian president also praised President Akufo-Addo for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to ECOWAS during his two-year tenure, describing him as a formidable Pan-Africanist.
President Tinubu further congratulated the Government and people of Senegal on their successful parliamentary elections and commended Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayokor Botchwey for her leadership of the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee on Reform, wishing her success in her new role as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
In his second term as ECOWAS Chair, President Tinubu highlighted several key achievements from his first term, including progress in regional integration, economic growth, conflict resolution, and counterterrorism efforts.
He pointed to initiatives like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the Common External Tariff (CET), which have strengthened trade and economic cooperation.
Tinubu also emphasized the importance of regional infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West Africa Power Pool, and the modernization of key border posts. These projects have enhanced connectivity and promoted greater regional integration, he said.
Additionally, President Tinubu acknowledged the success of ECOWAS peacekeeping missions in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and previously in Liberia and Sierra Leone, showcasing the bloc’s ability to act decisively in times of crisis.
ALSO READ: Tinubu settles N85bn, $54m ECOWAS community levy
He praised the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism, which has created a comprehensive framework to combat violent extremism and enhance regional security.
Looking ahead to ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary in 2025, President Tinubu urged member states to reaffirm their commitment to the bloc’s founding ideals of economic integration, peace, and prosperity.
“As a regional community, we must maintain our fundamental responsibility: to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper. Security is not a luxury but a necessity.
Enhancing the living standards of our people is not an aspiration but an obligation,” he stated.
Several African leaders attended the session, including the Presidents of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal, along with the Vice President of Sierra Leone, the Finance Minister of Benin Republic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Togo, and the Ambassador of Cape Verde to Nigeria.
Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, commended Nigeria for paying 100% of its community levy for 2023 and substantial remittances for 2024. He described the payment as a testament to Nigeria’s leadership and commitment under President Tinubu.
“For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100% of its community levy for 2023,” Dr. Touray announced. “On December 13, 2024, Nigeria paid N85 billion and $54 million, covering 100% of the 2023 levy and up to July 2024.
This underscores Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to the ECOWAS community.”
“We all agree that this payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to our community.
At a more personal level, it represents confidence in the management I have been privileged to lead since 2022.
He encouraged other member states to meet their financial commitments diligently.
