President Bola Tinubu urged ECOWAS member states to come together, strengthen their bonds, and resist divisive forces seeking to create discord within the community.

He emphasized the importance of regional solidarity in enhancing the resilience and effectiveness of the bloc during his speech at the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, where he serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

He said in part, "We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaken. We must ensure that cooperation amongst us is strengthened, with a view to building a sense of common destiny and purpose. No one can do this for us. We must come together.

"To this extent, reinforcing the legitimacy of the decisions taken by the Authority of Heads of State is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one indivisible body.

"It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, show similar confidence in the parliament, which would indeed deepen democracy in our region.

"Meanwhile, in the midst of ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth, and prosperity in our region."