By Janet Samuel
Nigeria’s Senator Osita Izunaso has pushed back against mounting concerns over poor attendance at the ongoing Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, insisting that Nigeria remains fully dedicated to the regional legislature despite structural challenges that hinder consistent participation.
His intervention comes after Speaker Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima repeatedly lamented the Parliament’s inability to form a quorum—most recently on Tuesday when lawmakers failed to convene on time even as ECOWAS Commission officials awaited the presentation of the 2026 budget.
On Wednesday, Izunaso addressed journalists and dismissed claims that Nigeria’s delegation was failing in its obligations. Instead, he blamed overlapping schedules with Nigeria’s National Assembly.
“It is not correct to say that only a few Nigerians attend plenary,” he said. “The real issue is that our legislative calendar is running at the same time as the ECOWAS session. Members have bills and committee matters they must first handle before returning here.”
He noted that Nigeria’s large 35-member delegation often makes its attendance more conspicuous, adding that other countries face similar challenges. But beyond clashing schedules, Izunaso pointed to a critical malfunction within the ECOWAS Parliament itself: poor communication.
“There must be proper information dissemination,” he said. “I saw my name listed for three or four committee meetings with no venue attached. How can anyone attend a meeting they can’t locate?”
To fix this, Izunaso proposed the creation of country desks—dedicated communication units responsible for calling, messaging, and tracking each MP to ensure they receive timely updates.
“If you remove the communication gap and the clash with the national parliament, Nigeria will easily deliver over 70 percent attendance,” he asserted.
He further argued that MPs are more likely to remain present if they are assigned clear responsibilities, including sharing and presenting committee reports.
“When you know you have a report to present, you won’t wander off,” he said. “Engagement keeps members in their seats.”
Turning to regional security, Izunaso praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response to the attempted coup in Benin Republic, saying Nigeria’s own security situation has improved due to an overhaul of its security architecture.
“Insecurity is not what it used to be,” he said. “The government is working, and the situation has significantly improved. There is no need for panic.”
He urged ECOWAS to continue defending democratic governance across the sub-region, stressing that “democracy must grow in Africa.”
Izunaso reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to the ECOWAS Parliament and called for internal reforms that would strengthen coordination, improve attendance, and enhance regional cooperation.
