Nigerian CSO petitions Gambian Leader, Wants ECOWAS Commission President recalled

A civil society organisation, Make A Difference Initiative, (MADI) has petitioned President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, calling for the recall of President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.

The petition, transmitted through The Gambian High Commission in Abuja, regretted that Dr Touray’s actions have triggered a governance crisis within the regional body capable of damaging The Gambia’s reputation, straining relations with Nigeria, and destabilising ECOWAS at a time when the region is battling insecurity, political turbulence and weakening confidence in regional institutions.

The petition raised the alarm over a 30 October 2025 memo in which he allegedly revoked all delegated authority from a Nigerian Commissioner, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, without consulting the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. Under the ECOWAS Treaty and the 2006 Supplementary Protocol, only the Council of Ministers has disciplinary authority over Commissioners.

The matter is now before the ECOWAS Court of Justice in suit ECW CCJ APP 54 25, and the group stated that if the allegations are confirmed, the action amounts to a serious violation of ECOWAS rules and undermines the legal safeguards governing the Commission.

Make A Difference Initiative also raised concerns about what it described as an unhealthy concentration of power within the Commission. It noted that both the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Director of the Cabinet, Mr Abdou Kolley, are citizens of The Gambia and occupy the two most influential positions in the institution. While this may not ordinarily attract criticism, the petition argues that it becomes troubling in the context of allegations that Dr Touray attempted to assign Commissioner level responsibilities to a personal appointee also from The Gambia. This has created the perception of disproportionate influence by a single member state, whether intended or not, and has fuelled distrust among officials within the Commission.

The organisation warned that The Gambia has been placed in an unfavourable diplomatic light, stressing that the country has long been associated with fairness, moderation and respect for due process. It argued that it would be unfair for The Gambia’s well earned reputation to be tarnished because of the actions of one official and urged President Barrow to intervene to prevent further reputational harm.

The petition highlighted the potential strain on Nigeria Gambia relations, noting that Nigeria provides nearly 90 percent of ECOWAS financial and logistical resources. It argued that any alleged irregular action against a Nigerian Commissioner carries serious diplomatic consequences. According to the petition, Nigeria and The Gambia share a warm and mutually beneficial relationship that must be protected from avoidable tension.

With ECOWAS preparing for its December statutory meetings in Abuja, including the fifty fifth Meeting of the Mediation and Security Council, the ninety fifth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers and the sixty eighth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State, Make A Difference Initiative cautioned that the internal governance crisis could overshadow proceedings. The group said the meetings come at a time when ECOWAS is vulnerable, following the withdrawal of some member states and ongoing political uncertainties across the region.

The petition described the recall of Dr Touray as an honourable and stabilising action that would restore confidence in ECOWAS leadership, protect The Gambia’s diplomatic standing, reassure Nigeria and other member states and allow for an orderly transition at the Commission. It urged President Barrow to demonstrate leadership that reinforces The Gambia’s commitment to fairness and regional responsibility.

The petition, which was signed by Augustine Eigbe, PhD, Director of Strategic Projects, Make A Difference Initiative, concluded by urging the Gambian President to recall Dr Touray, initiate a governmental review of the allegations, engage diplomatically with Nigeria and other member states and begin the process of nominating a replacement who reflects The Gambia’s tradition of principled and balanced service within ECOWAS.

As at press time, the Gambian Embassy in Abuja had not commented on the petition. Diplomatic observers predict that the issue will be a major topic at the December meetings and may influence discussions on the future of ECOWAS leadership, regional cohesion and the credibility of its institutions. Governments and analysts across West Africa are watching developments closely, amid growing concern that the stability of the regional body could hinge on how the crisis is resolved