The official swearing-in ceremony for the new ECOWAS Parliamentarians was led by H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The event occurred on Thursday, 4 April 2024, at the Abuja International Conference Center in Nigeria.
The inaugural session was attended by Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate, H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Right Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis, outgoing Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, and several other dignitaries.
During the ceremony, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu expressed support for a proposal for the direct election of ECOWAS Parliament members. “This principle aligns with the spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and would ensure citizens have a direct say in their representation,” stated the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
In his address at the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the significance of the 6th Legislature’s inauguration in West Africa’s democracy. He emphasized the importance of the Parliament’s role in the face of challenges to democracy and good governance in the region.
With a total of 92 Parliamentarians sworn in for a four-year term under the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger were yet to appoint representatives for this term.
The ECOWAS Parliament, a product of the collective efforts of all ECOWAS Member States, aims to foster regional integration and cooperation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).