President Bola Tinubu has called on African leaders, particularly in West Africa, to draw inspiration from Ghana’s recent presidential and parliamentary elections, which he described as a benchmark for democratic maturity and national unity.
In a statement released on Sunday by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu lauded Ghana’s December 7 elections for their peaceful conduct and praised President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Ghanaian people for setting a high democratic standard in the region.
“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this exemplary democratic practice and prioritize our countries’ national unity to ensure political stability. This model of peaceful transitions should become the hallmark of democracy, not just in West Africa but across the African continent,” Tinubu said.
He commended Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for their gracious concession and congratulatory message to President-elect John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) even before the official results were announced. “This gesture, reminiscent of Nigeria’s 2015 election, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people,” Tinubu added.
The president also praised Akufo-Addo for his effective leadership during his tenure as ECOWAS chair, calling him a “formidable Pan-Africanist.” Tinubu extended congratulations to Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Botchwey, on her appointment as Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Tinubu used the occasion to commend Senegal for successfully holding parliamentary elections and urged ECOWAS member states to recommit to the bloc’s founding principles of peace, prosperity, and economic integration ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2025.
“As a regional community, we must maintain our core responsibility: to protect our citizens and create an environment where they can thrive,” Tinubu said. “Security is not a luxury but a necessity, and improving the living standards of our people is not merely aspirational—it is our duty.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s contributions to ECOWAS, Tinubu noted the full payment of the country’s community levy for 2023 and substantial remittances for 2024.
Speaking at the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja, which was attended by leaders and representatives from across the region, Tinubu reflected on achievements under his leadership as ECOWAS chair. These include advancements in regional integration, conflict resolution, and counterterrorism efforts.
“Regional infrastructure projects like the West African Gas Pipeline and the West Africa Power Pool have significantly boosted connectivity and fostered deeper regional integration,” Tinubu said. He also cited peacekeeping missions in The Gambia and Guinea Bissau, as well as earlier interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone, as examples of ECOWAS’s ability to respond effectively to regional challenges.
Tinubu called for steadfast commitment to the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the fight against terrorism, which he described as a “comprehensive framework to combat violent extremism and bolster regional security.”
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Opeoluwa Benson – Content Researcher
