The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Nigeria’s former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to head its Election Observation Mission for the upcoming presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled for October 25, 2025.
According to a statement from the ECOWAS Secretariat issued on Sunday in Abuja, “The mission will be deployed from October 19 to October 29, in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.” The Secretariat emphasized that the deployment is part of ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the region.
As Head of Mission, Osinbajo will lead a team of eminent West Africans tasked with engaging key national stakeholders to support a peaceful electoral process. “The team will also foster cooperation with other international and domestic observer groups and assess the conduct of the polls,” the statement added, highlighting the comprehensive mandate of the observers.
Osinbajo, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023, brings extensive experience in election monitoring. He previously chaired the Commonwealth observation group for the Sierra Leone 2023 presidential elections, demonstrating his capability in managing high-profile electoral oversight missions.
This appointment underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting democratic governance and regional integration. The organization believes that active observation and engagement are critical to preventing electoral disputes and fostering political stability across member states.
The Secretariat concluded, “ECOWAS remains unwavering in its dedication to peace, stability, and credible elections throughout West Africa.” Observers and stakeholders will closely monitor the electoral process in Côte d’Ivoire to ensure it aligns with international democratic standards.