President Bola Tinubu on Thursday played host to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal.
During their brief interactive session at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu said an alignment of purpose and structure in West Africa would effectively address the challenges confronting the region.
According to Tinubu, West Africa must work together to defeat the hydra-headed problems of terrorism, banditry, human trafficking and poverty.
He advised that leaders in the region must make the people the point of convergence in governance, noting that the essence of democracy is lost when the people are not the focal point.
The president emphasised that democratic governance, democratic values, and constitutional order are sacrosanct and must be protected.
He also stated that critical institutions and precepts, like the judiciary and the rule of law, must be respected and observed for the sustenance of democracy.
“Constitutional democracy is what Senegal proved to the rest of the world and Africa. It is a joy to have you here; to meet the hope and aspiration of our youths. You fit in perfectly well.
“A critical time it is in the history of constitutional democracy, particularly in West Africa. What you have embarked upon, a struggle couched in freedom, is remarkable,” President Tinubu said.
The president described Nigeria and Senegal as brotherly nations, recounting both countries’ long history of cooperation.
President Tinubu said: “We are brothers. We have a shared interest in democracy. To make democracy sustainable in the interest of our people, we definitely must work hard.
“I am glad that you are a shining example of patience, perseverance, and commitment to democratic values.
“We must partner to make our people the focus of our democratic commitment. Your belief in the sovereignty of Africa is shared by all of us. But how can we work for our people and make them the focus of our democracy if we are violating the rule of law and promoting unconstitutional takeover of government?
“As the Chairman of ECOWAS, I am inviting you to collaborate and meet those other brothers. To persuade them to come back to the fold.
“We will continue to work together. We share good backgrounds, and we will continue to embrace and promote democratic governance. We must be able to partner and build the freedom we believe in—in economic growth, development, and other spheres of governance. It is left for us to provide assurance to our people and walk our talk.”