Senator Ali Ndume has spoken out about recent problems facing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following President Bola Tinubu handing over leadership of the body to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television from 23:58, Ndume said the crisis in countries like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali was not properly handled by ECOWAS. He believes this may have contributed to those countries deciding to leave the regional group, a move that weakens West Africa’s unity.
Ndume said he doesn’t fully blame President Tinubu, but he believes the president has been “cocooned” — meaning he is surrounded by people who may not be giving him the best advice or support. He added that those who could have helped didn’t step forward to do so.
He suggested that former Nigerian leaders like Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Yakubu Gowon could have played a key role in helping solve the crisis.
“Buhari is there, he’s in Duara, Babangida is there, Obasanjo is there, Abdulsalam, Gowon is there, all of them are respected former presidents that would have resolved those issues,” he said.
Ndume said these respected elders have the experience, wisdom, and could have helped avoid the exit of the three countries from ECOWAS.
Ndume expressed sadness that such a major event happened while President Tinubu was ECOWAS chairman. “It has done a blow,” he said, “Historically, it will go down that it was during his chairmanship that this thing happened.”
