Speaker wants direct election into ECOWAS Parliament

By Edward Adamidenyo

ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has reiterated his call for the direct election of its members.

He also assured community members of the Parliament’s decision to halt coup d’etat in West Africa, as well as ensure that those already polluted by the military are forced to return to civil rule, The Trumpet gathered.

Tunis said this at the closing ceremony of the 2022 First Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament, which was held in Monrovia, Republic of Liberia. He said, “Permit me to quickly highlight two very important points.

The first is our advocacy of having Members elected into the ECOWAS Parliament by direct universal suffrage. We believe that direct election is the first step to achieving full legislative competence and would eradicate issues occasioned by the duality of Membership, the paramount being the inability of Members to perform their duties at the ECOWAS Parliament, especially when critical issues are being debated at the national level.

We also strongly believe that with a set of directly elected Members, much more can be achieved. “This year we would continue to put in our efforts by intensifying deliberation and discussions to ensure that this august task is brought to fruition as this will be the hallmark of quality representation which will in no doubt be purposeful and accountable to the citizens of the sub-region”.

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The Speaker however, expressed optimism that the outcome from the Extraordinary Session and the effect of the deliberations and recommendations will yield positive results.

He said, “We will continue to intensify the quest for democratic rule which remains the bedrock for political inclusion and good governance while emphasizing that all hope is not lost and as we do say there is light at the end of this tunnel”.

Appreciating Nigeria’s former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and other leaders in the subregion for honouring the August gathering with their presence to share their perspective on the political situation in the region, the Speaker expressed hope that the quality of presentations and deliberation at the Session will in no small measure shape the future of the sub-region.

He conclueded that, “In the last few days while, undertaking our parliamentary work as provided in the supplementary Act we have extensively discussed and analyzed the political situation in the sub region vis-s-vis the incessant coup d’états in some Member States.

The selfless deliberations and insightful discussion as well a as their conclusions are worth commendations.