Yemi Osinbajo leads ECOWAS observer mission to Côte d’Ivoire for October 2025 presidential election, reinforcing West Africa’s democratic values
Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of Nigeria, has arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to lead the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission ahead of the country’s pivotal presidential election scheduled for 25 October 2025.
Also read: Yemi Osinbajo Leads ECOWAS Election Mission in Côte D’Ivoire
Osinbajo’s appointment by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) signals the bloc’s continued emphasis on democratic integrity, peace, and regional stability.
According to a statement issued by ECOWAS on Tuesday, the deployment is in line with its 2001 Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, reinforcing the organisation’s resolve to uphold democratic values across West Africa.
“This deployment… illustrates ECOWAS’ unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and democratic consolidation within the community,” the statement noted.
The ECOWAS delegation, headed by Osinbajo, consists of 187 observers, including 150 short-term observers, 15 long-term electoral experts, and 22 youth participants under the pilot project for integrating young people into election observation missions.
An additional 66 observers from the African Union (AU) have also joined the regional effortSupporting Osinbajo are Baboucarr Blaise Ismaïla JAGNE, former Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mahamat Saleh Annadif, former Foreign Minister of Chad.
The long-term observers have already commenced their work, monitoring pre-election activities since 3 October in Abidjan and other regions, assessing key developments before, during, and after the vote.
Upon arrival, Osinbajo was welcomed by ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, and the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, Fanta CISSE.
Speaking shortly after touching down, Yemi Osinbajo expressed his gratitude and optimism about leading the regional bloc’s mission.
“I am honoured to lead this important mission in such a peaceful and welcoming land. Our goal is to support a process that is peaceful, credible, and aligned with regional and international democratic standards,” he said.
A professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023, and prior to that, as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
The October 25 election in Côte d’Ivoire comes amid renewed political interest as President Alassane Ouattara, now aged 83, has confirmed his intention to run for a controversial fourth term.
Also read: Yemi Osinbajo Leads ECOWAS Election Mission in Côte D’Ivoire
The election is expected to be one of the most closely monitored in the region, with regional and global stakeholders watching Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic process with renewed attention.
