Osinbajo Appointed by ECOWAS to Lead Election Monitoring Mission in Côte d’Ivoire
Story: written by Daniel October 20,2025
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Nigeria’s former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to head its election observation mission for Côte d’Ivoire’s forthcoming presidential election.
The election, scheduled for October 25, will see Osinbajo and his delegation on the ground from October 19 to 29, observing key stages before, during, and after the polls.
In a statement issued on Sunday, ECOWAS said the deployment underscores its commitment to ensuring transparent, peaceful, and credible elections throughout the West African region.
As mission leader, Osinbajo will coordinate a team of distinguished observers drawn from across ECOWAS member states. The group will engage with political stakeholders, electoral officials, and civil society organizations to promote peace and confidence among citizens ahead of the vote.
The ECOWAS observers will also collaborate with other international and local monitoring bodies to evaluate the fairness and credibility of the electoral process, particularly during vote counting and results declaration.
According to ECOWAS, the initiative reflects its “unwavering dedication to peace, stability, and democratic governance” in West Africa. The regional bloc has consistently played a vital role in preventing election-related conflicts across member nations.
Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming election has attracted significant international attention, following President Alassane Ouattara’s controversial decision to seek a fourth term despite earlier pledging to retire after his current tenure. The move has sparked political tension and public debate over constitutional limits on presidential terms.
Observers warn that mistrust among political parties could heighten instability if the elections are not perceived as free and fair. Consequently, ECOWAS’ intervention, led by Osinbajo, is being widely regarded as a critical measure to foster dialogue, reduce tension, and reassure Ivorians of a credible electoral outcome.
Osinbajo, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023, is celebrated for his diplomacy and steady leadership. His selection reflects ECOWAS’ confidence in his ability to lead a credible mission and strengthen democratic processes in the region.
Following the election, the ECOWAS team will issue a comprehensive report detailing its findings and offering recommendations to enhance electoral integrity in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.
