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Says Nigeria’s democratic landscape remains dynamic with significant electoral activities
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Nigerian Delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has said that in confronting the complex contemporary challenges, Nigeria remained resolute in its conviction that regional solidarity is the sub-region’s greatest strength.
The 35-member delegation stated this while presenting the country report of Nigeria at the ongoing 2025 first ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
The Nigerian delegation listed the challenges to include security, governance, economic resilience, climate change, and human development.
The delegation led by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, included Ireti Kingibe, Ali Ndume, Osita Izunaso, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Jimoh Ibrahim, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Onyeka Peter Nweboyi and Asuquo Ekpenyong.
Also in the delegation are the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Bamidele Salam; Abiante Awaji-Inombek; Blessing Onuh Onyeche; Manuchim Umezuruike, amongst others.
The delegation said, “In confronting the complex challenges of our time—ranging from security and governance to economic resilience, climate change, and human development—Nigeria remains resolute in its conviction that regional solidarity is our greatest strength.
“As we reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles and ideals of ECOWAS, let us with sincerity acknowledge that the path forward will require courage, innovation, and unwavering unity of purpose.
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria stands ready, shoulder to shoulder with our fellow member states, to help shape a West Africa that our people not only depend on but are truly proud to call their own.”
In the report presented by Abiante, the delegation, while speaking on democracy and good governance in the country, said Nigeria continued to demonstrate its commitment to deepening democratic principles and promoting good governance, serving as a cornerstone for stability and progress in the West African region.
On political participation, it also said that during the reporting period, Nigeria recorded incremental gains in democratic consolidation, adding that the democratic landscape remained dynamic with significant electoral activities at the sub-national level.
“Off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in September and November 2024, respectively, were successfully conducted, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) party emerging victorious in both states, signalling continuity in regional leadership. These elections were generally peaceful and orderly, demonstrating the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” the delegation stated.
In the area of peace and security, the delegation told the Parliament that Nigeria’s national security architecture faced significant challenges across various regions during the reporting period.
It, however, said the government has deployed measures to effectively surmount the challenges.
“In the North-East, the military’s sustained counterinsurgency campaign under ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ prompted the surrender of over 1,400 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) combatants in the final quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, in the North-West, coordinated air and ground offensives across Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina states led to a substantial reduction in reported banditry incidents during the same period.
“At sea, the Nigerian Navy intensified patrol operations in the Gulf of Guinea, contributing to a notable decline in maritime piracy, very much lower than incidents recorded during the corresponding period in 2023,” the delegation also said.