Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders to follow Ghana’s democratic practices after successful presidential and parliamentary elections.
Former President John Mahama was reelected to lead Ghana, defeating incumbent Vice President Mahamud Bawumia, who congratulated the winner before official results were announced.
Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS Chairman congratulated Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, who attended the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for the last time as President, on the victorious election.
“On December 7, 2024, the presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Ghana, the region’s second-largest democracy. The incumbent Vice President, His Excellency Mahamud Bawumia, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) conceded defeat and congratulated the President-elect, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on his victory before official results were announced—this gesture in Nigeria in 2015 shows political maturity and respect for Ghanaians’ wishes.
“Today, we have the man I will refer to as Mr Democrat; I congratulate President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana on the successful elections; and I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our countries’ national unity to ensure political stability in the region; that this manner of peaceful transition recalls the culture of democracies not only in West Africa but throughout the African continent,” Tinubu said.
The Nigerian leader also praised Senegal for successfully conducting recent parliamentary elections.
Tinubu urged ECOWAS member states to work together to defend their populations and create an environment conducive to their growth.
He stated that enhancing residents’ living standards is their obligation.
However, the ECOWAS chairman observed that several ECOWAS measures have bolstered economic cooperation.
Following the speakers, the meeting was reconvened behind closed doors.
