ADVERTISEMENT

'Nigeria will support ECONEC to ensure stability in W/African sub-region' - Acting President

He explained that Nigeria’s decision to continue to support the electoral bodies was informed by its belief in the fundamental principles of free elections.

Nigeria's acting President Yemi Osinbajo

Osinbajo made the pledge when the leadership of the ECONEC led by its president, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, visited him in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.

“It is one of those initiatives that we should be proud of and must support, and I can assure you that the government of Nigeria will fully support your efforts.

“In the past, as you pointed out Prof, we have supported several of our brothers in the sub-region and we intend to continue to do so because we believe in the fundamental principles of free elections.

ADVERTISEMENT

“And we believe that the only way to ensure stability in society is to ensure that people have a right to elect their leadership but not just a right on paper but a right in practice.

“And the only way by which that right can be manifested in practice is by free and fair elections," he said.

He congratulated Mahmud Yakubu on his election as ECONEC President and thanked all members of the network for giving (Yakubu) him the opportunity to serve them.

Osinbajo also thanked the members for giving Nigeria the honour to host the secretariat of the ECONEC permanently.

He said: “you said it was unanimous and I’m glad to know it was unanimous because who would have been able to resolve the electoral conflict.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Again, I must congratulate you and thank all of the members of the network for giving Prof. Yakubu an opportunity to serve and thank you for giving Nigeria the honour to host the secretariat of the ECONEC permanently.

“We promise (to provide) all the support that will be required by the secretariat and will be required by the officials of the Secretariat.’’

The acting president expressed the hope that the ECONEC would be able to bequeath to coming generations strong nations that would be led by the rule of law and democratic principles.

According to him, this is the only way African countries can be stable as well as assure generations yet unborn of stability and progress and abundance in the sub-region.

In his remarks, Yakubu, who narrated the history of ECONEC, said the sub-regional electoral body was formed to ensure the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections through exchange and sharing of ideas and experience.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The purpose is to come together and assist one another in the areas of experience sharing, peer review and any other support that we can render in ensuring credible elections.

“At the moment and the first time in the history of the sub-region, all 15 countries in ECOWAS are democracies.

“Gone are the days in some countries you had one government in the capital another in the bush. All the governments are in the capital now.

“So, this is a great moment for us.’’

“And in the last one year or one and a half, we have had violence free, successful elections in the Niger Republic, Benin Republic, the Gambia, Ghana and the Republic of Cape Verde and the results were accepted and celebrated.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The ECONEC President added that Senegal also conducted a successful constitutional referendum while parliamentary and local elections were also conducted successfully.

He announced that ECONEC Steering Committee would soon undertake needs assessment visits to Liberia and Sierra Leone where elections would be held on Oct. 10 and March 2018 respectively.

“For Liberia and Sierra Leone, Your Excellency, these are countries that have emerged not too long ago from very unhappy developments.

“And it is very good that now that we have all democracies, we should come together to see how we can assist and ensure free and fair credible elections within the sub-region.

“Our belief, (Your Excellency) is that it is better to deploy ECONEC than to come back to you later to deploy ECOMOG.

ADVERTISEMENT

“So, this weekend, we will leave for Sierra Leone and Liberia,’’ he said.

Yakubu stated that the outcome of their missions to Liberia and Sierra Leone would be communicated to the ECOWAS Commission.

“And where there is a need for assistance from individual countries, I’m sure that those countries will take the matter up bilaterally,’’ he maintained.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Reps halt NASU's strike to resolve dispute between FG, universities

Reps halt NASU's strike to resolve dispute between FG, universities

Lagos VIS seizes 50 unroadworthy vehicles in enforcement operation

Lagos VIS seizes 50 unroadworthy vehicles in enforcement operation

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT