ABUJA —THE Presidency said yesterday that some West African countries that opted out of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, after the enthronement of military government were considering re-joining the regional group.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, disclosed this to journalists at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, where he went to see off President Bola Tinubu, en route France on a private visit.
The President will next week attend the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Executive Council scheduled to hold in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, from February 12 to 16, 2025.
The outing would see the president participating in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State and, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, provide a detailed report on the bloc’s handling of the situation.
Fielding questions from journalists on the President’s participation at the AU Summit, Dare indicated that at least one or two of the countries, while moving toward disengagement, might be reconsidering and seeking to realign with ECOWAS under the terms offered.
He said: “You have seen the military coups that occurred. You have seen what has come out of it and how he (Tinubu) has managed it, even to the point of giving the three countries six months to rethink and reconnect with ECOWAS.
“Of course, we know that January 29 has expired. We know that the process of their leaving is almost concluded, but we also know that one or two of these countries are trying to reach back and take advantage
of the six-month window.
“I think that at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, the chairman of ECOWAS will have an opportunity to brief the continental body and, of course, some of these countries will be there, too.’’
Dare highlighted a key development in which a Nigerian national wouldassume a commissioner role on the AU’s Peace and Security Commission—a move he called critical for Nigeria.
He attributed this achievement in part to the President’s foreign initiatives and policies.
The presidential aide also alluded to the influential position Nigeria holds concerning the African Development Bank leadership, as the term of the current Nigerian occupant, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, concludes, other countries will actively seek Nigeria’s backing for potential successors, recognising that support from Nigeria and its President was essential.
“So there will be a lot of high-level meetings, a lot of bilateral meetings. It’s a very key meeting. Beyond that, a Nigerian will become a commissioner on the peace and security committee through consensus, and that is critical for us. The AU Peace and Security Commission is critical, and having a Nigerian commissioner on that body is vital.
“It is also part of the gains of President Tinubu’s foreign initiatives and policies. Aside from that, we know that the position of the AFDB president is up. We have several countries lobbying. A Nigerian is there now. As he rounds off, another person will have to go there, and we know that President Bola Tinubu will be one of the key presidents who will be sought out to determine who gets that position.
“In fact, it will be difficult for anyone to get that position without the support of Nigeria and the stamp of President Bola Tinubu,’’ Dare explained.
