President Bola Tinubu, on Monday evening, arrived in Abuja from Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau, where he attended the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States which was held on Sunday.
The NAF 001 Boeing 737 jet conveying Tinubu and his entourage touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 06:30 pm local time.
He was then conveyed to his Maitama residence as he is yet to move into his official residence over one month after assuming office.
At Sunday’s meeting in Bissau, the Nigerian leader emerged as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS through a unanimous endorsement.
President Tinubu, who accepted the honour on behalf of Nigeria, pledged to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration of the regional organisation.
However, he warned that terrorism and the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa had reached alarming levels and now demands urgent, concerted action.
He argued that insecurity and creeping terrorism were stunting the progress and development of the sub-region, necessitating collective action from member-states.
While decrying the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa, Tinubu charged ECOWAS to stand firm in defense of democracy.
“There is no one among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources, we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people,” he said.
According to him, the military turning its guns against civil authorities violates the principles upon which they were hired, which is to defend the sovereignty of their nations.
“We must not sit in ECOWAS as toothless bulldogs,” he added.
He urged his counterparts to strengthen their respective democratic institutions and ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law, saying his one-year tenure “will enhance engagements with the countries in transition (Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso) to ensure their quick return to democratic rule.”
Guinea-Bissau is the second foreign location and first African State the President has visited since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
So far, he has visited Paris, France, where he participated in the summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron from June 22-23.
From June 24 – 27, President Tinubu was in London for a private visit, where he reportedly met his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
So far, he has spent 10 days out of the country.
