Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has warned West African leaders against the temptation to alter constitutional term limits, declaring good governance the only effective weapon against military coups and mass unrest.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Mr Shettima stated that regional stability depends on leaders delivering tangible benefits to their citizens rather than manipulating political processes.
The summit, held at the newly commissioned Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, marked the formal adoption of the ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration—a strategic roadmap extending the bloc’s vision to 2075.
Term limits and regional security
Addressing the recent wave of political instability across the region, the Vice President emphasized that democratic institutions must be protected from political interference from within.
“We must avoid the temptation to tamper with the constitutional term limits or exploit constitutional processes,” Mr Shettima told the assembly.
To combat cross-border militancy, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s backing for a regional counter-terrorism force and the strengthening of the ECOWAS Standby Force, noting that sustainable development cannot exist in an environment of insecurity. He also stressed that ECOWAS remains committed to open dialogue and constructive engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to preserve the unity of the regional bloc.
The 2075 Vision: A borderless digital economy
The newly adopted ECOWAS Compact outlines a transition from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of the People,” catering to the region’s 400 million citizens.
Key pillars of the agreement include:
- Economic Integration: Accelerating the gradual implementation of the ‘Eco’ single currency and expanding intra-regional trade.
- Digital Transformation: The establishment of a West African Digital Single Market, alongside unified frameworks for artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
- Institutional Reform: Pledges to enforce transparency, accountability, and merit-based appointments within ECOWAS institutions to restore public trust.
Condemnation of South African attacks
The Vice President also used the platform to deliver a sharp rebuke to the South African government following a recent wave of xenophobic violence targeting West African migrants.
Condemning the “Afrophobic attacks”, Mr Shettima revealed that Nigeria has already evacuated 1,490 of its citizens from harm’s way across seven emergency flights. He backed calls from the President of Ghana for ECOWAS to present a united front and formally table the matter before the African Union.
“South Africa should be reminded that the freedom it currently enjoys is the result of the sacrifices and liberation efforts of African countries, including Nigeria,” Mr. Shettima said, warning that such intolerance is entirely unacceptable.
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