Buhari to ECOWAS leaders: Resist temptation for tenure elongation

…Ghanaian president Akufo-Addo elected chair

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to ECOWAS leaders not to elongate their tenure in office beyond constitutional limits.

Making the call while presenting Nigeria’s General Statement at the 57th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Niamey, Niger Republic on Monday, the president urged his colleagues to respect constitutional provisions and ensure free and fair elections.

“It is important that as leaders of our individual Member-States of ECOWAS, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits. This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region.

“As it is, the challenges facing the sub-region are enormous; from socio-economic matters to security issues, the ECOWAS sub-region cannot therefore afford another political crisis, in the guise of tenure elongation. I urge us all to resist the temptation of seeking to perpetuate ourselves in power beyond the constitutional provisions.

“I commend those in our midst that have resisted such temptations, for they will be deemed exceptional role models in their respective countries and the sub-region as a whole.

 “While Nigeria understands the current political realities in Mali, the sub-region’s commitment to the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, must never be compromised.

“An early return to democratic governance which is transparent and civilian-led, will commend itself for Nigeria’s support for progressive relaxation of sanctions against Mali,” he said.

The Nigerian President, who is the ECOWAS Champion, charged with mobilising and coordinating the efforts against the pandemic, admitted that the “outlook for our sub-region with COVID-19 hovering over us is gloomy indeed.”

Meanwhile, Ghanaian President, Prof. Nana Akufo-Addo has emerged as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.

He was elected president at the 57th ECOWAS Summit in Niamey, capital of Niger on Monday. The Ghana Ministry of Information announced this via its Twitter handle.

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