The First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Yusuf Sulaiman Lasun, yesterday, angrily left a session of the parliament, in protest against what he described as lack of appreciation of Nigeria’s huge role in the body.

Lasun’s action was provoked by the statement of a Senegalese member of parliament (MP), Ibrahima Baba Sall, who ranked the contributions of his country in resolving the Gambian crisis above that of Nigeria.

Expressing his displeasure, Lasun told the parliamentarians that Nigeria’s famed ‘big brother’ role in the continent may be reviewed, if it is not properly recognised.

He advised the commission to visit the Acting President and write a letter wishing Buhari quick recovery.

While speaking to newsmen after he left the session, Lasun, lamented the disdain meted out to Nigeria despite funding ECOWAS by about 80 per cent. “If our leaders and Nigeria are not being accorded proper recognition, why are we here then?”