Holds maiden meeting with Tinubu in Abuja
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has canvassed the lifting of sanctions against Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).He also asked the three countries, who had already announced their exit from the group, to rescind their decision in the interest of peace and unity.
Gowon, who made the appeal yesterday in Abuja, impressed on the 15 Heads of State and Government participating in this weekend’s summit of the body in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be altruistic.
In an address titled, Open Letter to All Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS Member States, Gowon expressed concern over recent developments in the sub-region.
He said as one of the founding fathers, it was incumbent upon him to speak on behalf of the 14 Heads of State and Government, who joined him in Lagos on May 27, 1975 to form the organisation.
Gowon observed: “Since its inception, the regional bloc has made a number of major accomplishments, including trade liberalisation, right of West Africans to live legitimately in any country within the Community, as well as successful peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“ECOWAS, despite its shortcomings, has become an example of regional integration for the wider continent. Having achieved all of the above, it saddens me to learn that ECOWAS is threatened with disunity following the announcement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – three important member-states of their intention to leave the Community.”
He warned that the decision would have far-reaching consequences for the ordinary citizens, who have been major beneficiaries of regional integration.
The elder statesman, therefore, urged ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, including leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to put aside their differences and reunite for the peace, stability and prosperity of the sub-region.
Gowon was to make the address earlier in the week, but after hours of waiting, a postponement was announced. He, however, arrived at the ECOWAS Commission’s Conference Room at exactly 5.12 pm to the excitement of his waiting hosts.
While giving assurances of his readiness for further engagements to ensure that the bloc remained united, Gowon called on other elders in the sub-region to join him in the campaign to immediately restore unity and shared purpose within ECOWAS.
President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, pledged that the message would be transmitted ahead of this weekend’s summit, stressing that the message looked at “ECOWAS of people and not ECOWAS of government.”
ALSO, the nonagenarian, yesterday, met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. Tinubu meets Gowon at Aso Villa
The parley is the first between both men since the Nigerian leader assumed office last May. Although the reason for the closed-door meeting was not disclosed, it is believed the ex-Head of State was at the seat of power to rub minds with the President on solutions to the biting economic and security challenges besetting the country.
The retired General, who led the country through a civil war, has also featured severally in other efforts geared at stabilising the nation and organising stakeholders in peace efforts over the years.
