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By Lizzy Chirkpi
As the ECOWAS Parliament convenes its Second Ordinary Session in Abuja to commemorate the institution’s 25th anniversary Nigerian lawmaker and Vice Chairman of the Parliament’s Committee on Infrastructure, Hon. Ahmed Munir, has commend Nigeria’s enduring role as the stabilising force in West Africa.
Speaking with journalists on the after plenary, Munir addressed the recent unrest in Guinea-Bissau and the foiled coup attempt in the Benin Republic, warning that West Africa must remain vigilant amid rising threats to democratic governance.
Describing the turmoil in Guinea-Bissau as deeply concerning, the lawmaker said the incident should serve as a wake-up call to the region. Democracy, he argued, rarely collapses instantly but deteriorates through visible warning signs.
“Anywhere we have an erosion of democracy, it is a minus and should be condemned. Shrinking civic space, interference in the justice system, corruption in military procurement, and attacks on press freedom are early indicators of instability,” he cautioned.
Munir disclosed that the ECOWAS Parliament is working toward a firm, unified resolution to condemn the attempted overthrow of Guinea-Bissau’s government.
Turning to Nigeria’s role in thwarting the attempted coup in the Benin Republic, Munir described the country as the region’s “beacon of democracy.”
“The world must recognise that Nigeria played a decisive stabilising role in Benin. Our security forces and the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated the big-brother responsibility Nigeria carries in this region,” he said.
He noted that the consequences of a successful coup in Benin would have been far-reaching, with implications for regional cohesion, security, and the free movement of people and goods across ECOWAS.
Munir called on ECOWAS institutions to strengthen their preventive mechanisms, urging a reassessment of the Standby Force, a review of financial commitments by member states, and deeper military and diplomatic coordination.
On regional integration, the legislator who also chairs the House Committee on Commerce in Nigeria emphasised that trade remains the most reliable bond for sustaining peace and prosperity.
“Wherever wealth is created through trade, society becomes more stable. We need a seamless trade system in West Africa, with better standardization, modernised borders, and digital processes to boost commerce,” he explained.
He revealed that Nigeria’s National Single Window Project expected to be largely operational next year will significantly reduce port delays, limit corruption, and enhance transparency. He urged other ECOWAS countries to replicate the model.
Reflecting on 25 years of the ECOWAS Parliament, Munir congratulated member states but insisted the institution must reinforce its relevance within the regional architecture. While other ECOWAS organs such as the Court of Justice, the Commission, and the Bank for Investment and Development have clearly defined roles, he noted that the Parliament still requires reforms to sharpen its mandate.
“We must stand for something. Reforms are necessary so that the Parliament can be more effective and contribute meaningfully to regional goals,” he said.
The 2025 Second Ordinary Session comes at a defining moment for the regional bloc, amid rising political upheavals, renewed worries over military coups, and ongoing efforts to strengthen economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This year marks 50 years of ECOWAS and 25 years of its Parliament milestones accompanied by growing demands for structural reforms, stronger accountability, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding democracy across West Africa.