Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria has lost its influence in regional affairs. He accused President Bola Tinubu of mishandling the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In an exclusive interview with News Central, Obasanjo said Nigeria no longer plays a leading role in shaping decisions within the bloc.
“Today, Nigeria is not at the table,” he said.
He questioned Nigeria’s influence across the region.
“What is Nigeria influencing or impacting? And on whom?” he asked.
Furthermore, Obasanjo criticised how the Tinubu administration has handled ECOWAS. He said decades of diplomatic effort have been undermined.
“Look at the way we have handled ECOWAS. Something that took us 50 years to build — overnight, we mishandled it and have virtually destroyed it,” he said.
His comments come amid growing tensions within the bloc.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in July 2024. They cited disagreements with the bloc’s policies and governance approach.
The three countries have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This move has deepened divisions within West Africa.
