Senator Osita Izunaso, a member of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament, has called for a shift to direct elections for members of the regional legislative body, moving away from the current practice of member nominations by their respective countries. Izunaso, who represents Imo West and serves as the First Rapporteur of the parliament’s Joint Committee on Public Accounts, made this call during an interview in Abidjan on Tuesday.
Speaking during the parliament’s joint committee meeting on administration, budget, finance, and public accounts, Izunaso suggested amending the Supplementary Act to establish a framework for direct elections to the ECOWAS Parliament. He cited the European Parliament as a model, where members are directly elected by their constituents.
“The direct election of members to the ECOWAS Parliament is long overdue,” Izunaso stated. “This will go a long way in solving most of the problems of the parliament. The committee in charge will be tasked with developing a framework to make this a reality.”
Izunaso emphasized that direct elections would empower the parliament by giving it greater authority and aligning it more closely with the principles of separation of powers. He argued that direct elections would allow for a broader range of candidates, not limited to current parliamentarians, and could potentially bring in individuals with diverse expertise.
In addition to advocating for direct elections, Izunaso called for an amendment to the Supplementary Act to grant the ECOWAS Parliament full legislative authority, particularly concerning budgeting and auditing. He also proposed that key appointments within the ECOWAS Commission, such as the President and commissioners, should require parliamentary confirmation.
Addressing the potential exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS, Izunaso warned of the challenges this could pose, particularly in terms of funding and inclusivity. He expressed hope that ongoing efforts by ECOWAS leaders would resolve the issues and maintain the unity of the sub-region.
Izunaso’s proposals highlight a push towards greater democratization and accountability within ECOWAS, aiming to strengthen the legislative body’s role in the region’s governance.
