Buhari misses ECOWAS 50th Anniversary, gives reason

Former President Muhammadu Buhari was notably absent from the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which took place in Lagos on Wednesday.

His absence was attributed to a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom.

The commemorative event marked 50 years since ECOWAS was established in Lagos in 1975, bringing together leaders from across the West African region. Dignitaries in attendance included President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai, and President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, among others.

In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, Buhari expressed his regrets for missing the historic occasion and extended his warm wishes to the regional body. He commended ECOWAS for its resilience, integration efforts, and commitment to peace and development over the past five decades.

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“Regrettably, as Your Excellency is aware, I am currently in the United Kingdom undergoing routine medical check-ups and therefore unable to attend this historic event,” the former president wrote.

Despite his absence, Buhari extended his warm congratulations to the leaders and people of West Africa on ECOWAS’s Golden Jubilee, describing the regional body as a symbol of unity, progress, and perseverance in the face of daunting regional challenges.

“I congratulate Your Excellency and other Heads of State and Government on the attainment of this Golden Jubilee by ECOWAS,” he stated.

The former president also used the opportunity to pay glowing tribute to Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), the only surviving founding father of ECOWAS. He hailed Gowon’s role in the creation of the organisation and his sustained commitment to regional unity.

“My felicitation also goes to General Gowon, the only surviving founding father of this august body,” Buhari noted.

He concluded the letter with words of solidarity and goodwill to President Tinubu and other West African leaders, saying, “Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest regards.”