President Muhammadu Buhari has called on leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)


President Muhammadu Buhari has called on leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resist the temptation of elongating their tenures beyond what their constitutions allow.

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A statement by Buhari’s media, Garba Shehu, quoted his principal to have said this on Monday during the 57th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Niamey, the Niger Republic.

According to President Buhari, it is “important that as leaders of our individual Member-States of ECOWAS, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits. This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region.

“As it is, the challenges facing the sub-region are enormous; from socio-economic matters to security issues, the ECOWAS sub-region cannot, therefore, afford another political crisis, in the guise of tenure elongation.

“I urge us all to resist the temptation of seeking to perpetuate ourselves in power beyond the constitutional provisions.”

The Nigerian leader hailed those who have “resisted such temptations” and added that they will be seen as exceptional role models in their respective countries as well as the sub-region.

“Related to this call for restraint is the need to guarantee free, fair and credible elections,” the statement quoted him as saying.

“This must be the bedrock for democracy to be sustained in our sub-region, just as the need for adherence to the rule of law.”

On the political situation in Mali, President Buhari admitted that it is of serious concern to the body, and hailed President

Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and out-going Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, and the Chief Mediator, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, “for effectively demonstrating commitment in handling the political situation in that country.”

While declaring Nigeria’s resolute to ensuring the civilian-led Transition Government does not exceed 12 months, he said it is important that such is done peacefully.

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