President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged Nigeria’s commitment to restore democratic rule to Mali, Guinea and Burkina-Faso, and to ensure peace and political stability in the West African sub-region.

Mr Buhari made the pledge during the opening of the 2022 second Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States.

“Let me reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS efforts, with the support of our Partners, to keep the region peaceful, secure and politically stable,” he said.

“In this regard, Nigeria remains committed to supporting ECOWAS to restore democratic rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.”

This is also as Mr/Buhari pledged his commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible polls in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

“As you are aware, there will be multiple political activities in some ECOWAS member states, including Nigeria, where general elections are due to be held in February and March 2022.

“Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections and smooth transitions. This is one legacy that I want my administration to bequeath, not only to Nigeria, but to the region as a whole.

“At the regional level, Sierra Leone and Liberia are also preparing for elections. As in the past, Nigeria is ready to stand by any country in the region that is committed to organising free and fair elections,” Mr Buhari said.

Mr Buhari also noted that the global economic downturn has deeply affected the economies of the sub-region and resulted in dire economic hardships for the citizens of the Community.

He urged ECOWAS parliamentarians to perform their sacred responsibility of considering the community budget with diligence while bearing in mind the sacrifice of various countries in the payment of Community Levy.

The chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Head of State and Government, and President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, decried the unconstitutional takeover of government in the region.

Mr Embalo expressed ECOWAS’ commitment and determination to ensure that constitutional order is restored in Burkina Faso, Guinea and others still under the control of the military junta.

He also noted that there is a need to expand the economy of the region to create more wealth for community members.

Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis, said the session, otherwise known as the “Budget Session”, mandates the parliament, in accordance with its Supplementary Act, to consider the Consolidated Community Budget.

Tunis said that members of the parliament had been tasked to ensure that the Budget is directed towards programs that address the needs, aspirations and interests of the people they represent.

“We must summon the will, courage and commitment to act in ways that will positively impact our region.

“Permit me to state that as a region, we are confronted with unending chaos and crises, which are threatening the gains we have made in the recent past.”

The focus of the 2022 event is on the ECOWAS Community Budget 2023, dubbed “The Budget of Consolidation and Reforms.”

(NAN)