President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, urged ECOWAS member states to come together, strengthen ties and reject forces bent on causing division within the community.
Tinubu while speaking at the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, on Thursday in Abuja, said regional solidarity is imperative to strengthening the bloc’s resilience and effectiveness at this critical juncture.
Tinubu is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The Nigerian President stressed that member states cannot afford to remain passive spectators while the community faces the threat of disintegration.
He said, “We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaken. We must ensure that cooperation amongst us is strengthened, with a view to building a sense of common destiny and purpose. No one can do this for us. We must come together.
“To this extent, reinforcing the legitimacy of the decisions taken by the Authority of Heads of State is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one indivisible body. It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, show similar confidence in the Parliament, which would indeed deepen democracy in our region. Meanwhile, in the midst of ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth, and prosperity in our region.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the aspirations of ECOWAS and, by extension, the fundamental objectives upon which the Parliament was established.
Affirming the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the bloc’s journey towards a future of peace and prosperity for all, Tinubu said success cannot be achieved without the loyal contribution and hard work of the community’s legislative agency.