Nigeria will defend, consolidate democracy in ECOWAS countries, says Buhari 

As one of the biggest democracy in Africa, Nigeria will do its best to consolidate democractic process in the West African sub-region.

President Muhammadu Buhari gave the pledge at the State House, Abuja, while playing host to President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso, who was on a one-day official visit to Nigeria.

“We are keeping tabs on situations in countries that have elections ahead. We know the countries that are calm and the ones where there have been unfortunate casualties.

“We will always support those who have elections ahead, so that things can go smoothly,” Buhari said in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

Burkina Faso holds legislative elections in November, this year.

Kabore, who chairs the Economic, Trade and Liberalization Scheme of ECOWAS, said he was in Nigeria to discuss crucial sub-regional issues with President Buhari.

The issues discussed include the convening of a joint commission meeting between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, reported trade difficulties among Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Benin, and Niger Republic, and the way forward.

Kabore commended Buhari for what he called “strong leadership and support” displayed by the Nigerian leader in his capacity as Chairman of COVID-19 response in West Africa.

“I must also applaud your strong leadership against terrorism in the sub-region.”

On the situation in Mali, he expressed the hope that the summit held in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday, would yield positive results, stressing: “We need cohesion all over West Africa.”