According to Vanguard News, Dr Doyin Okupe congratulates President Tinubu on re-election as ECOWAS Chairman, urges focus on Sahel nations' return to bloc
Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Doyin Okupe, has sent warm congratulations to President Bola Tinubu on his re-election as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The news of Tinubu's re-election was announced at the 65th Ordinary Session of the bloc in Abuja on Sunday.
In a statement on Monday, Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, expressed his admiration for Tinubu's ability to continuously come into positions of leadership during challenging times.
He said: "I congratulate President Bola Tinubu on his re-election as the leader of ECOWAS. It is truly remarkable that President Tinubu's destiny has led him to positions of leadership, both at national and regional levels, during periods of hardship and difficulty."
However, Okupe urged Tinubu to focus on a specific agenda in this new tenure, which is to bring back the leadership of the Sahel Nations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to the ECOWAS.
He also suggested that Tinubu should start by reconciling with Nigeria's immediate neighbour, the Republic of Niger, and seek support from former President Muhammadu Buhari and influential Northern leaders with strong ties to the country.
Furthermore, Okupe proposed that the African Union (AU) should take the lead in this reconciliation process, while also reaching out to Russia for diplomatic support, particularly through the AU.
He emphasized that this move would not only strengthen ECOWAS but also promote peace and stability in the Sahel region.
In conclusion, Okupe wished Tinubu all the best and prayed for divine guidance and wisdom to navigate the "turbulent waters" ahead.