Avoid temptation to tamper with constitutional term limits - Shettima to ECOWAS leaders

Avoid temptation to tamper with constitutional term limits - Shettima to ECOWAS leaders

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged West African heads
of state to avoid the temptation of tampering with constitutional term limits.

 

Shettima spoke on Sunday while delivering his remarks on the
‘Future of regional integration in West Africa’ at the 69th ordinary session of
the ECOWAS authority of heads of state summit in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

 

The vice-president said Nigeria’s position on peace,
security, and democratic governance is that sustainable development cannot be
achieved in an environment of insecurity and instability.

 

“Nigeria supports the Compact’s commitment to constitutional
governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and zero tolerance for
unconstitutional changes of government,” he said.

 

 

“I am to add that beyond adventurism, the most effective
tool against Unconstitutional Changes of Government and mass protests that is
capable of undermining good order is for us to enthrone good governance that
delivers more tangible benefits to our citizens.

 

“We must also avoid the temptation to tamper with the
constitutional term limits or exploit constitutional processes.”

 

The ECOWAS Compact of the Future of Regional Integration is
a six-pillar strategy designed to operationalise ECOWAS Vision 2050.

 

 

The compact’s ultimate goal is to transform the bloc from a
passive institution into one that delivers concrete public goods, such as
security, economic mobility, and digital connectivity to citizens.

 

Shettima said the “forward-looking” document reflects the
collective aspirations of all West Africans.

 

“Nigeria recognises the evolving global geopolitical
landscape and the Compact’s vision of ECOWAS as a more cohesive, influential,
and strategically autonomous regional actor,” he said.

 

“In an increasingly multipolar world, West Africa must speak
with one voice in advancing its collective interests, safeguarding its
sovereignty, and building partnerships anchored on mutual respect, equality and
shared prosperity.”

 

He added that Nigeria remains committed to the setting up of
the counter-terrorism force and strengthening of the ECOWAS standby force, in
order to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing, joint
security operations, and preventive diplomacy to safeguard peace and stability
across the region.

Avoid temptation to tamper with constitutional term limits - Shettima to ECOWAS leaders

 - NigerianEye
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