Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on West African leaders to learn from the example of Ghana in relation to conducting peaceful elections.
He said this after commending Ghana for its democratic maturity and commitment to national unity.
Speaking at the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja, President Tinubu commended Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for setting a high standard with their successful presidential and parliamentary elections held on December 7, 2024.
“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise 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 in the entire African continent,” Tinubu said.
As ECOWAS approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, Tinubu urged member states to reaffirm their commitment to the bloc’s 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. As leaders, we know that security is not a luxury but a necessity. Equally, enhancing the living standards of our people is not an aspiration but an obligation,” he said.
The session was attended by leaders from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal. Sierra Leone was represented by its Vice President, while Benin, Togo, and Cape Verde were represented by senior officials.
