The event was graced by notable dignitaries including President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, representatives from various ECOWAS countries, diplomats, and high-ranking government officials.
In a significant ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC Kano North); Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central); and several other lawmakers were inaugurated as members of the sixth Legislature of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament.
The event was graced by notable dignitaries including President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, representatives from various ECOWAS countries, diplomats, and high-ranking government officials.
President Tinubu, who also doubles as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, administered the inauguration ceremony.
During the opening session, Senator Natasha and other newly elected representatives took their oath.
ECOWAS Parliament was established by the ECOWAS Treaty of May 28, 1975 signed in Lagos, Nigeria which was revised in July 1993 and signed in Abidjan and it is what is currently in use.
The ECOWAS Parliament plays a vital role in regional governance and cooperation. With 115 members drawn from the 15-member States, Nigeria holds significant representation with 35 slots, comprising 17 Senators and 18 Honourable members.
Following Nigeria, Ghana holds eight seats, Côte d’Ivoire is alloted seven, while Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal have six seats respectively.
Underlining Nigeria’s leadership role within the ECOWAS Parliament, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, oversees the transmission of the Nigerian Delegation’s list to the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. Additionally, the Deputy President of the Senate assumes the responsibility of leading the Nigerian Delegation to the 6th ECOWAS Parliament.
It is noteworthy that the tenure of office for members spans four years, commencing from the date of inauguration
