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Tinubu Supports Direct Election into ECOWAS Parliaments, Asks Member Statrs to be Unitedl

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Tinubu Supports Direct Election into ECOWAS Parliaments, Asks Member Statrs to be United

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind direct election of members of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, even as he emphasized the need for members of the subregional organisation to speak with one voice in order to cement the unity and prosperity of the area.

Members of ECOWAS Parliament have always emerged through selection from elected parliamentarians of member states. This has created endless agitation that they should instead emerge through specific direct election for places across the region.

Speaking at the inauguration of the sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday, the Nigeria’s President and Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Thursday charged leaders in the Economic Community of West African States on the need to speak with one voice for the unity and prosperity of the region.

He said: “Honourable Members as we inaugurate the sixth legislature, it is evident that we are faced with profound challenges in our region that demand our unified efforts.

“Recent political development have consequential effect on each of our member states.The wider international context in terms of security, access to markets, and climate change also presents profound challenges.

“Three Member States considering withdrawal from the community is a challenge to us.

“We must preserve the unity and integrity of our organisation. The ball is in your court as well as mine.

“At this critical junction, regional solidarity is imperative to strengthening our resilience and effectiveness as a bloc, particularly against forces that aim to divide us.

“We must not allow this. We cannot afford to remain persive and ordinary spectators, while our Community faces the threat of disintegration. We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaking.

“We must ensure that cooperation among us is strengthened with a view to building a sense of common destiny and purpose.

“No one can do this for us, we are the ones to do it, please.l take that seriously.

“In your legislative consideration and in your interaction it is very imperative that you take seriously that we have to build the economic prosperity of our region by ourselves.

“Let us forget what has happened to us in the past, we have matured and of age to build our intellectual curiosity to develop our region.

To this extent, reinforcing the legitimacy of decisions taken by authority of Heads of States, is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one body.

“It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, must show similar confidence in Parliament, respect the parliament’s resolutions, which will indeed deepen democracy in our region.

“Meanwhile, in the midst of ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth and prosperity in our region.

“Like I said earlier on, it is upon us. It is upon us. It is our responsibility to speak with one voice and make African Union from ECOWAS a central point of economic reform and foreign policy achievement. “

Declaring his support for direct election of members of the regional Parliament, Tinubu said the process will help actualize the vision 2050, which will ensure the people involvement in decision making process in the region.

He said:Am aware that the ECOWAS parliament is seeking an enhanced powers primarily through the election of its members by direct universal suffrage.

“This will increase the role the parliamentarians must play and the responsibilities they will assume in advancing our regional development objectives, particularly in harmonising laws and regulations across the member states.

“Indeed, the practice of directly electing public officers aligns with the democratic principles that Nigerians upholds as it enhances the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

“This principle is also in line with the spirit of ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance. As one time legislature myself, I look forward to reviewing the proposal regarding this matter.
“We stand to support the election into the ECOWAS Parliament.
“We believe this will ensure that citizens have direct say in their representation and legitimacy and credibility it will provide.
” Thank you for thinking very carefully on this subject. “

The president also promised that Nigeria will continue to support the regional body.

“I want to assure you, that Nigeria as the host of this very important community’s institutions, will continue to support you to achieve your objectives.”

Tinubu also added, “I am aware of the plan to have all ECOWAS’s institutions in one complex and all the good progress that has been made, Nigeria is also working to meet its responsibility to construct the ECOWAS Parliament headquarters in Abuja at the same complex.

” In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that as you conduct the business of six legislature It is my hope that your discussions will provide me the opportunity to address the prime concerns of the region and come up with resolutions that will lead to the attainment of peace and the advancement of all.

“You can stand assured that Nigeria is always ready to support the ECOWAS. The parliament in particular will be made effective and democracy will flourish if we support it and we fight for it.

The inaugural session of the Sixth Legislature of the Parliament which formally marks the commencement of the business of the legislature, is being convened in pursuant to Article 28 of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament of 2016, following the end of the Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on March 8, 2024.

The president of the ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray raised alarm of danger of disintegration of the regional body, which he said will affect all facet of life of the community.

He also noted the amount of investment made by the regional body in the three want away countries-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic which runs into $321 million.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio in his remark urged members of the regional Parliament to work in unity.

He saod, “Let us use ECOWAS to ensure that national boundaries are not Berlin walls separating kith and kin, but bridges of unity and progress.
“The road ahead is filled with new challenges and opportunities. Our task is to build upon the foundation laid by our predecessors and to forge a path towards a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future. We must strive to deepen regional integration, enhance trade and investment, and promote the free movement of goods, services, and people within our Community.
“Together, we can harness the power of collaboration, innovation, and dialogue to overcome the obstacles that lie before us. Let us remember that the strength of our Community lies in our diversity, and it is through unity and solidarity that we can overcome any adversity and achieve our shared goals.
“It is concerning that in spite of our region’s abundant natural resources and deep human capital, our region has not attained the heights envisioned by our founding fathers.

“I believe the time has come in ECOWAS and in the ECOWAS Parliament for us to play the role of Ghede, and show to each country her devil. This way we will drive all the devils of tribalism, corruption, nepotism, despotism, out of our region.

“Your participation and engagement are vital as we navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. I have no doubt that together, we will build a stronger, more prosperous, and more united West Africa.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar on his part stressed the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in fostering unity in the region.

He also urged members of the regional Parliament to ensure that their positions on key issues are harmonized with the decisions of the Authority of ECOWAS.

He said, “In the face of the various challenges confronting our region, including peace, stability, security, as well as the unity of our region, the role of the Parliament is more important than ever.

” The balance between executive, judicial and legislative arms is critical for effective, responsive and transparent governance. This was recently demonstrated by the key role played by Senegal’s judiciary in ensuring that national elections were not delayed. ECOWAS is no different. Let us remember that democracy is a process not an event. The Parliament, and other Community Institutions, are of vital importance in promoting democracy and regional stability.

” It is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our organization. Collaboration between the Commission, Court and Parliament is essential to ensure the smooth implementation of policies and programs that benefit our citizens. I encourage you to maintain constructive dialogue with other bodies and to align your efforts with the broader objectives of ECOWAS.

“Furthermore, I urge the new members of Parliament to ensure that your positions on key issues are harmonized with the decisions of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. Consistency in our collective stance will strengthen our voice on the international stage and prevent any perception of disunity within our organization.”

The outgoing Speaker of the 5th Parliament, Mohamed Tunis pleaded with the members of the Sixth parliament to pursue direct election of members.

He said, “While it is customary for each legislature to set its own agenda, I passionately appeal that the campaign for the election of Members into the ECOWAS Parliament by direct universal suffrage remains at the top of your agenda. The 5th Legislature raised a lot of awareness about the matter, and I can only hope that
the 6th Legislature will strengthen the fight for direct election, as it is a requirement for representative governance.”

Tinubu Supports Direct Election into ECOWAS Parliaments, Asks Member Statrs to be United

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2027 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas

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2027 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas

By: Michael Mike

As Nigeria gears up for season of electioneering, the United Nations has called on political parties to focus their campaigns on policies and ideas, not insults or divisive rhetorics.

During a speech at the Roundtable on Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall said as we head to the 2027 elections. “Allow me to share some recommendations. First, political parties must lead by example. Campaigns should focus on policies and ideas, not insults or divisive rhetoric.

“Second, parties should commit to codes of conduct that reject hate speech and promote information integrity. Third, cooperation with media and digital platforms is essential to ensure that harmful content is not amplified, while factual, reliable information reaches voters.

“Above all, we must remember that elections are about people, their dignity, their rights, their future. Hate speech strips people of their dignity and undermines the very foundation of democracy. As leaders, you have the power and the responsibility to set the tone, to show Nigerians that politics can be conducted with respect, truth, tolerance, and integrity.”

Fall added that: “On this International Day of Democracy, I call upon you today: let us work together to make democratic participation in Nigeria free from hate and grounded in information integrity and respect for human rights. Let us affirm that words matter and that in choosing our words carefully, we choose peace, unity, and progress for Nigeria. Let us act collectively to strengthen and protect democracy in and beyond Nigeria.”

He stated that this International Day of Democracy with theme “Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity” should remind us that democracy is not only about holding elections, but about ensuring inclusion, pluralism, and public participation of everyone in a respectful and inclusive manner.

He noted that: “When falsehoods spread unchecked, especially during elections, they weaken public trust, mislead citizens, and undermine democratic choices. Promoting information integrity means ensuring that Nigerians can access reliable information, that public debate is grounded in facts, and that voters are empowered to make informed choices free from manipulation.”

He insisted that: “In Nigeria, the stakes are high. Vibrant political discourse and engagement should be moments of ‘no gree for anybody’, unity, and pride. But they can be harmful if hateful language and hostile narratives are allowed and accepted; it can incite hostility and result in violence. We know from history that hate speech has been a precursor to some of the worst atrocities, including genocide.

“The Rabat Plan of Action, endorsed by the United Nations, reminds us that advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that incites discrimination, hostility, or violence must be prohibited by law and that these laws must comply with international human rights standards, including the right of association, expression, and assembly.

“This is a cornerstone of democracy. Restrictions must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, never a pretext to silence debate. The challenge before all of us here today is to strike the right balance: engaging in open political discourse while safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting Nigerians from the harms of hate speech.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu noted that since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has made notable progress in democratic development.

He said: “We have witnessed successive electoral cycles, the strengthening of civil society, and the expansion of political space. Yet, our democracy remains a work in progress. Challenges such as low voter turnout, weak internal democracy in political parties, electoral violence and malpractices, weak institutional accountability, and limited inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities and harsh political climates continue to undermine public trust and democratic consolidation. Above all of these, our democratic and political processes including communication have often come under immense challenges of poor values, deep-seated hate-filled and divisive rhetoric threatening the core foundation of our nationhood.”

He noted: “The National Human Rights Commission has been at the forefront of efforts to promote ethical and hate-free politicsin Nigeria. In the 2023 elections.”

Ojukwu stated that hate speech is intricately related to human rights, either in its form or outcome, adding that: “To the person spreading hate speech, it is about right to freedom of expression, opinion, speech or belief. To the recipient of hate speech, it is a violation of the rights to dignity of human person and the freedom from discrimination based on religious belief, political, ethnic, gender, cultural or other affiliations, amongst many other human rights.

“When applied to politics, hate speech and unethical communications breed political divisions that facilitate violence, weak voter electoral participation, stifles plurality and social cohesion.”

He said: “As we count down to the 2027 General Elections, the NHRC is alarmed at the high level of hateful politics and unethical practices that seemed to have taken the centre stage with some of our political actors. Achieving a culture of responsible and value-laden political process continues to remain a challenge for Nigeria. From the independence of the election management body to unethical actions of political parties, their candidates and agents to the inappropriate use of security and law enforcement agencies.

“Vote buying and inducements of various sorts during past and recent elections have become worrisome indicators of the fragility of the Nigerian electoral culture with severe consequences on the freedom of association and the right to participation.”

He noted that: “The Roundtable on Ethical and Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria which we are convening today in partnership with the United Nations is aimed at forging a shared understanding of the drivers, patterns, and impacts of hate speech and unethical political communications in Nigerian electoral and democratic processes and to secure practical, rights-based commitments from key actors to promote ethical politics, reduce hate speech and protect pluralism and inclusive participation—especially for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minority communities in the electoral processes leading to the 2027 elections and beyond.”

2027 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas

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Eight ISWAP fighters including two Commanders killed in clash with troops in Borno

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Eight ISWAP fighters including two Commanders killed in clash with troops in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

At least eight Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including two field commanders and a sector leader, have been killed by Nigerian troops in Borno.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the insurgents were neutralised in an encounter with troops along the Maiduguri–Baga highway on Monday morning.

According to the sources, the clash occurred near Garin Giwa, close to Cross Kauwa, when the terrorists laid an ambush on troops on patrol.

“During the engagement, eight terrorists were killed, including two ‘Munzirs’ (field commanders) and one ‘Qaid’ (sector leader).

“They were identified as Modu Dogo, a Munzir from Dogon Chukun; another unidentified Munzir; and Abu Aisha, a Qaid from Tumbun Mota,” one of the sources said.

The source added that several other fighters were wounded, especially those who fled on foot after abandoning 14 motorcycles recovered by the troops.

The incident is the latest setback for ISWAP fighters operating around the Lake Chad basin.
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Nigerian troops neutralise armed bandit, recover AK-47 in Katsina

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Nigerian troops neutralise armed bandit, recover AK-47 in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised an armed bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle during an operation in Turare Forest.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, was based on credible intelligence received about the presence of bandits in the forest.

“The operation, which took place at about 3:00 a.m., on Monday led to the killing of an armed bandit. One AK-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect,” he said.

The sources added that patrol and monitoring activities in the area have been intensified and would be sustained to prevent further criminal activities.

Nigerian troops neutralise armed bandit, recover AK-47 in Katsina

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