Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has been elected as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Tinubu’s election took place during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the regional bloc, held in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau.
During the session, President Tinubu received the handover documents from the outgoing chairman, President Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau. In his remarks, Tinubu emphasised the importance of democracy, stating, “We will take democracy seriously. Democracy is very tough, but it is the form of government.”
The position of ECOWAS chairman is held by one of the heads of state or government of the member countries on a rotating basis for a one-year tenure. Former President Muhammadu Buhari previously held the position from 2018 to 2019.
The chairman of ECOWAS plays a crucial role in conflict resolution, and advocacy, and acts as a liaison with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, who is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of ECOWAS policies and decisions.
Ahead of the session, President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, had already disclosed that Tinubu would be elected as the new ECOWAS chairman. Tinubu had traveled to Guinea-Bissau to attend the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.
Onanuga stated, “Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will become the new ECOWAS chairman today, succeeding President Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau, who became chairman on 4 July 2022 at the 61st summit in Accra. Tinubu’s leadership will be announced in Bissau today at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).”
President Bola Tinubu’s first Speech as the new Ecowas Chairman.
