Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on leaders across West Africa to resist the temptation to tamper with constitutional term limits.
Shettima made the appeal on Sunday while speaking on the ‘Future of regional integration in West Africa’ during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
The vice-president reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peace, security and democratic governance, stressing that lasting development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity and political instability.
“Nigeria supports the Compact’s commitment to constitutional governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government,” he said.
“I am to add that beyond adventurism, the most effective tool against Unconstitutional Changes of Government and mass protests that is capable of undermining good order is for us to enthrone good governance that delivers more tangible benefits to our citizens.
“We must also avoid the temptation to tamper with the constitutional term limits or exploit constitutional processes.”
The ECOWAS Compact on the Future of Regional Integration is a six-pillar strategy designed to implement the bloc’s Vision 2050 agenda.
Its objective is to reposition ECOWAS as an institution that delivers tangible benefits to citizens through improved security, economic integration and digital connectivity.
Shettima described the compact as a forward-looking framework that captures the shared aspirations of West Africans.
“Nigeria recognises the evolving global geopolitical landscape and the Compact’s vision of ECOWAS as a more cohesive, influential, and strategically autonomous regional actor,” he said.
“In an increasingly multipolar world, West Africa must speak with one voice in advancing its collective interests, safeguarding its sovereignty, and building partnerships anchored on mutual respect, equality and shared prosperity.”
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for establishing a regional counter-terrorism force and strengthening the ECOWAS Standby Force to boost intelligence sharing, joint security operations, preventive diplomacy and the fight against terrorism across the region.