Why Buhari merits ECOWAS’ Icon of Democracy award — BMO
The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has welcomed the decision by the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to honour President Muhammadu Buhari with an award for his pro-democracy role in the West African subregion.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that this is yet another affirmation of President Buhari as the champion of democracy not only in Nigeria but also beyond the country.
“We see this honour as yet another proof of President Muhammadu Buhari’s stature as a major promoter of democratic ethos in and out of the country.
“There are several examples to back up the position of ECOWAS chairman and President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Embalo, who said the ‘Nigerian president had done more than any other to support democratic governments in West Africa, just as he had done exceptionally well, waging battles against the emergence non-democratic regimes.
“He is on record to have famously called out African leaders with a penchant for manipulating their country’s constitution to stay in office, at an ECOWAS heads of government summit that had some of those leaders in attendance.
“We also invite Nigerians to note how President Buhari had on several occasions made it clear that he has no intention to stay a day longer than the terminal date of his administration.
“It was therefore not surprising that ECOWAS is toeing the line of global leaders like the US President Joe Biden to praise Buhari for his commitment to democratic ideals,” the group added.
BMO said that Buhari’s respect for democracy was quite evident in the run up to the 2023 election.
“Unlike what Nigerians were used to, many people were shocked to hear the President saying, ahead of the Presidential election, that everyone is free to vote for whoever they like as his successor, even though his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) bad a candidate in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“But what many failed to realize is that President Buhari simply wanted to separate the office of the President from that of party leader and was not going to use federal might to confer undue advantage on the ruling APC.
“We make bold to reaffirm that he made all necessary funding provisions for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to introduce innovations and also approved a cash policy that many felt created problems for the ruling party.
“So it is to the President’s credit that the reforms, especially the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), made it possible for the February 25 elections to witness political upsets across the country that were unthinkable a few years ago,” it said.
The group added:”And although the opposition is kicking against the outcome of the Presidential election, we still find it interesting that they are silent about the National Assembly election that took place simultaneously.
“So President Buhari has earned all the accolades coming his way in recognition of his achievements in the defence and promotion of democracy throughout the subregion.”
BMO also reiterated its stand that the President will leave the country better than he met it in 2015.
