Speaker warns of growing strain on democracy across ECOWAS region

Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has warned that democratic governance across West Africa is facing increasing pressure, cautioning that failure to deliver tangible results for citizens could heighten instability in the sub-region.

Abbas gave the warning on Monday in Abuja while addressing the opening of the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament.

He described the current period as a defining moment for the region, marked by declining voter participation, weakening public trust in institutions, and a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government.

According to him, the core challenge confronting democracies in West Africa has shifted from the credibility of elections to the effectiveness of governance.

He said the growing concern is whether democratic systems are delivering outcomes that citizens can recognise and trust, stressing that the legitimacy of elections must now be matched by performance in office.

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The Speaker observed that while citizens across the region continue to reject military rule, their patience with democratic governance is being tested by persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and perceived unfairness in public administration.

He warned that where governments fail to meet these expectations, it creates conditions that make political disruption more likely.

Abbas emphasised that security, economic stability and fairness are no longer aspirational goals but fundamental benchmarks by which citizens assess the credibility of the state.

In such a context, he said, the role of the ECOWAS Parliament becomes increasingly critical.

He called for the regional legislature to evolve beyond its advisory capacity, arguing that it must be strengthened with greater legislative authority, improved oversight powers and a more direct role in decision-making within the Community.

Abbas noted that discussions around reforms such as direct elections into the Parliament, expanded budgetary scrutiny and enforceable mechanisms for implementing regional protocols have been ongoing but remain largely unrealised.

He maintained that the urgency of these reforms has become more pronounced given the region’s exposure to democratic setbacks, security challenges and economic uncertainty.

He added that a Parliament with limited influence cannot adequately respond to such pressures.

Strengthening the institution, he said, is essential to enhancing accountability, deepening citizen representation and reinforcing democratic stability across member states.

Turning to national legislatures, Abbas described them as the frontline institutions through which citizens experience governance.

“The effectiveness of parliaments directly shapes how democratic systems function, as they are responsible for lawmaking, oversight of the executive and the allocation of public resources”, he explained.

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Using Nigeria as an example, he said the House of Representatives has prioritised legislative productivity, strengthened oversight and expanded public engagement.

He added that parliamentary friendship groups are being leveraged to deepen collaboration with other legislatures across the region, enabling the exchange of ideas and coordinated responses to shared challenges.

On Nigeria’s economic reforms, the Speaker defended recent policy decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates, describing them as necessary steps taken within a democratic framework.

They acknowledged that the reforms have required adjustment but said early signs indicate they are beginning to yield results, particularly in increased fiscal inflows to states and improved capacity for investment in infrastructure and social services.

Abbas argued that Nigeria’s approach demonstrates that difficult reforms can be implemented without undermining constitutional order, a point he said is especially important in a region where military interventions have re-emerged.

He cautioned that such interventions do not address the root causes of governance challenges and are not a sustainable solution.

He further urged West African legislatures to take a more active role on the global stage, drawing lessons from other regional parliamentary bodies that have expanded their influence and effectiveness.

The Speaker concluded that restoring public confidence in democracy across West Africa will depend largely on the ability of governments and legislatures to deliver measurable outcomes, ensure accountability and translate regional agreements into concrete action.

He noted that the ongoing session of the ECOWAS Parliament presents an opportunity for lawmakers to align their efforts with the expectations of citizens and strengthen the foundations of democratic governance in the sub-region.