President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has been elected as the new chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Tinubu was elected during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which was held in Bissau on Sunday. He was elected by acclamation, after no other candidate was nominated for the position.

In his acceptance speech, Tinubu pledged to work with all of the member states of ECOWAS to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the region. He also said that he would work to strengthen the organization’s institutions and to make it more effective in addressing the challenges facing West Africa.

Tinubu’s election is a significant development for ECOWAS, as it comes at a time when the region is facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Mali, the threat of terrorism, and the economic crisis. Tinubu’s experience and leadership will be crucial in helping ECOWAS to address these challenges and to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for the region.

Tinubu specifically addressed the issue of democracy, saying that it is “the best form of government” and that ECOWAS must “stand firm” in its defense. He also warned against the emerging pattern of military takeovers in West Africa, saying that “soldiers were not hired to violate the freedom of the people.”

Tinubu’s election is seen as a positive development by many observers, who believe that he will bring a strong and experienced leadership to ECOWAS. He is a well-respected politician with a long track record of public service. Tinubu is also a strong supporter of democracy and good governance, which are two of the key pillars of ECOWAS.

It remains to be seen how Tinubu will address the challenges facing ECOWAS, but his election is a step in the right direction. With his experience and leadership, Tinubu has the potential to make a significant impact on the region.

Here are some of the key quotes from Tinubu’s acceptance speech:

  • “I am honored to be elected as the chairman of ECOWAS. I pledge to work with all of the member states to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the region.”
  • “I will work to strengthen the organization’s institutions and to make it more effective in addressing the challenges facing West Africa.”
  • “I believe that ECOWAS has a bright future, and I am committed to helping the organization achieve its goals.”
  • “We must stand firm on democracy. There is no governance, freedom and rule of law without Democracy. We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage but it is the best form of government.”

Tinubu’s election is likely to have a significant impact on ECOWAS. He is a well-respected politician with a strong track record of leadership. His election is seen as a sign of confidence in ECOWAS and its ability to address the challenges facing the region.