Former President Muhammadu Buhari was conspicuously absent at the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Lagos on Wednesday over a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom.
The landmark event, which marked five decades since ECOWAS was founded in Lagos in 1975, was attended by several West African leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, and Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, Buhari expressed regret over his inability to attend the historic occasion, while commending the regional bloc’s resilience and achievements over the years.
“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.”
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