Buhari cautions West African leaders against tenure elongation

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, warned leaders of the Economic Community of West African States against elongating their tenure in office beyond constitutional limits.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President made the call while presenting Nigeria’s General Statement at the 57th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Niamey, Niger Republic.

The statement was titled, ‘President Buhari Urges ECOWAS Leaders To Resist Temptation Of Tenure Elongation.’

Buhari, who became Nigerian President in 2015 and whose second and final term of four years ends in May 2023, urged his colleagues to respect constitutional provisions and ensure free and fair elections.

The statement quoted the President as saying, “It is important that as leaders of our individual member-states of ECOWAS, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits. This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region.

“As it is, the challenges facing the sub-region are enormous; from socio-economic matters to security issues, the ECOWAS sub-region cannot therefore afford another political crisis, in the guise of tenure elongation.

“I urge us all to resist the temptation of seeking to perpetuate ourselves in power beyond the constitutional provisions.

“I commend those in our midst that have resisted such temptations, for they will be deemed exceptional role models in their respective countries and the sub-region as a whole.

“Related to this call for restraint is the need to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. This must be the bedrock for democracy to be sustained in our sub-region, just as the need for adherence to the rule of law.”

On the political situation in Mali, Buhari said Nigeria remained committed to the decision of ECOWAS for a civilian-led transition government not exceeding 12 months.

He commended President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and outgoing Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, as well as the Chief Mediator, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, “for effectively demonstrating commitment in handling the political situation in that country.”