By Milcah Tanimu

President Bola Tinubu announced his endorsement of a proposal for the direct election of members into the parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Thursday. He emphasized that such a move would empower citizens of member states to have a direct say in choosing their representatives.

Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of 97 members into the 6th ECOWAS parliament at the Abuja International Conference Centre, Tinubu expressed his readiness to review the proposal as a former legislator himself.

His statement reflected the growing sentiment for democratization within the regional bloc, especially regarding the composition of its parliamentary body. Currently, the ECOWAS parliament is populated by existing lawmakers from the 15 member states.

Tinubu stressed the importance of democratic principles, asserting that directly electing public officers aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to upholding democratic values and the spirit of the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance.

Furthermore, he assured the newly sworn-in members of Nigeria’s continued support as the host nation of the ECOWAS community.

Established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993, the ECOWAS parliament, also known as the Community parliament, serves as a crucial institution within the regional framework. However, the absence of representation from certain member states like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which expressed intentions to exit the bloc, presents a challenge.

President Tinubu appealed to these states to reconsider their decision, highlighting the potential ramifications for their citizens and the region at large, echoing similar sentiments expressed by ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray.

As discussions on democratizing the ECOWAS parliament continue, the region anticipates further developments that may shape its governance structure and enhance its democratic credentials.