By Rauf Oyewole
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed have attributed the fragmentation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to mistrust among African leaders.
The former President and Mohammed spoke at Christ Church College University of Oxford to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS over the weekend. A statement by Governor's Media Adviser, Mukhtar Gidado on Wednesday, quoted Obasanjo saying that “The trust that once existed among West African leaders is eroding, he said. Without cooperation and committed leadership the region cannot move forward.”
Obasanjo recalled the collective past efforts in promoting free movement, economic integration, and social inclusion. He warned that these gains are now threatened by political divisions, inconsistent leadership, and the recent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a process that signals growing regional fragmentation.
Governor Bala Mohammed stated that the ECOWAS is failing due to poor governance, a trust deficit among leaders, and weak institutional accountability. “These failures are not abstract, they impact people's lives every day,” he said.
Mohammed urged quality leadership rooted in responsibility, transparency, and empowerment.
He highlighted Bauchi State’s strides in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment as a microcosm of the broader regional aspirations. He called for increased cooperation among West African nations to harness shared resources and address common challenges, reinforcing the vision of a united and prosperous ECOWAS.
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