Fifteen West African leaders under the umbrella of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have elected President Muhammadu Buhari Of Nigeria to lead them.
The election of President Buhari was the high point of the 53 ECOWAS Summit which ended today, Tuesday, in Lome, Togo. Buhari took over from the Togolese President, Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe.
Responding to his election before he took over the mantle, President Buhari said that he did not bargain for the position but his colleagues heads of government would not listen.
“I did not ask for the position but you would not take my no for an answer,” Buhari complained even as he told his fellow leaders that, “I am truly humbled and pledge to serve and work with all of you to deliver on peace, security, good governance and socio-economic development” of the sub-region, and “take our organisation to greater heights.”
President Buhari also commended his immediate predecessor and President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe for successfully hosting two important meetings of the Joint Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and ECOWAS as well as the 53rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.
The new Chairman had earlier been presented with the Emblem of ECOWAS by the outgoing Chairman, while the next meeting of the organisation will take place in Abuja on December 21, 2018.
