President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Accra asserted that democracy had come to stay in West Africa. In his valedictory speech at the 47th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, he spurred regional leaders to support the incoming administration in Nigeria, led by President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan said he felt deeply satisfied that the tree of democracy planted in Nigeria and the sub-region had “taken roots and blossoming.” He said recent elections held in Ghana and Senegal were largely peaceful without controversy, while polls in Benin, Sierra Leone and Togo had shown tremendous progress in consolidating democracy in the sub-region.

President Jonathan thanked ECOWAS leaders for their understanding and cooperation accorded him during his tenure as Chairman of the organisation from 2010-2012.

“As the new administration takes over, I am confident that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and each member state of our cherished Organisation and Nigeria’s role within ECOWAS will grow even stronger. I urge you all to extend the same friendship and fraternal cooperation that I have received from you to my successor. The future of our Organisation and West Africa is in good, safe and capable hands.”

“I shall, even out of office, continue to give my modest support to our noble cause of unity, peace, stability and development of our sub-region,” he said.