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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has urged regional leaders to draw inspiration from Ghana’s recent peaceful elections.
Speaking at the 66th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, he commended the nation for its commitment to democracy.
Following a successful presidential and parliamentary elections held on December 7, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, emerged victorious after incumbent Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat before the official announcement of results.
Tinubu praised the act as a testament to Ghana’s democratic maturity. “This gesture demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana.”
He emphasised that such actions should become a cultural norm across West Africa.
He praised President Akufo-Addo for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to ECOWAS during his two-year term, describing him as a formidable Pan-Africanist.
Tinubu highlighted Ghana’s electoral process as a model for stability and governance in the region, asserting: “Democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa.”
He called on all ECOWAS member states to prioritise national unity and democratic principles to ensure political stability.
“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our country’s national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also in the entire Africa continent.
“Despite the challenges of interrupted democratic governance in some West African countries, the region has continued to record democratic gains. Just a week ago, on December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections took place in Ghana, the second-largest democracy in our region.
“One of the leading candidates who happens to be the incumbent Vice President, His Excellency Mahamudu Bawumia, together with the leadership of the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat and accepted the outcome of the presidential election by congratulating the President-elect, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama of National Democratic Congress (NDC) for his victory, even before the official announcement of the election results.
“This gesture, as it happened in Nigeria in 2015, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has paid its ECOWAS community levy of N85 billion and $54 million representing 2023 and up to July 2024.
Dr. Omar Touray, president of the Commission, said for the first time in 19 years, Nigeria decided to pay 100 per cent of its community levy up to 2023.
“The money was paid on Friday, December 13, 2024. This payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to the ECOWAS community.
“At a more personal level, it underscores a mark of confidence in the ECOWAS that I have been privileged to lead since 2022. My colleagues and I are deeply grateful,” he said.
President Tinubu said the strength of the commission was in the unity of members, and ECOWAS was born out of a shared vision to create a community for citizens.
“The world is confronted with challenges ranging from crisis, Sudan, Middle East and violent extremism and environmental challenges. Many of the challenges have impacted our region and the reality underscores the reality of working together.”
