….congratulates Nigerians for successful elections, as he urge aggrieved parties to seek redress in court
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, has reiterated the commitment of the legislature in strengthening democracy in the sub-region.
Tunis stated this at the commencement of the delocalized meeting of the Joint Committees of the ECOWAS Parliament, bringing together 8 Standing Committees on the theme: “Building the regional energy market for a just energy transition”, on Monday, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In his opening remarks, Speaker Tunis said Parliament is committed to strengthening representative democracy in the Community and contribute to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the sub-region
“The ECOWAS Parliament, through its meetings in Member States, continues to identify and forge closer ties with the citizens of the West African community, thereby asserting itself as a key mechanism for sub-regional representation.”
Speaker Tunis who congratulated the people of Nigeria on their successful democratic process of the Presidential, Federal Legislative, Governorship and State Legislative elections; also expressed hopes that the success of democracy in Nigeria would go a long way in boosting the region's democratic credentials.
He stated: “I am pleased to reaffirm that the organization of free, transparent and inclusive elections is today the surest way to ensure the transfer of the inalienable sovereignty of the people to those who govern. I welcome the successful conduct of this democratic exercise and congratulate the Nigerian people for the quality of democratic life they have demonstrated”.
“It would, at the same time, legitimize Nigeria's leadership status, both within and outside the African Continent. I use this medium to say, “Congratulations Nigeria, Congratulations West Africa”.
He therefore appeal to all winners in the election to be magnanimous with the victory and urged those who were not too fortunate to attain their goal at the 2023 election to seek redress in the court of law.
“That is a mature way of supporting the hard-fought democracy that our countries are enjoying today. We reiterate Parliament's stance of zero tolerance for election violence, because violence, if left unchecked, could set back notable strides we have made towards peace and democracy in the sub-region”, he added.
Speaker Tunis further assured that the Parliament, ECOWAS Commission and other ECOWAS structures, will do everything within its powers to guarantee a free, fair and credible elections in Sierra Leone come June 2023.
The delocalized meeting is expected to run from Monday March 20 to 25, 2023.
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