Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lead its Election Observation Mission for the forthcoming presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire.
According to a statement released by the regional bloc, the election is scheduled for October 25, 2025, while the observation mission will be deployed from October 19 to 29, in line with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“As Head of Mission, Osinbajo will lead a delegation of eminent West Africans who will engage with key national stakeholders to encourage a peaceful and credible electoral process,” ECOWAS said. “The team will also collaborate with international and domestic observer groups to assess the conduct of the polls.”
The appointment places Osinbajo at the forefront of regional efforts to promote democracy and political stability in West Africa, particularly at a time when several countries in the subregion are facing electoral and governance challenges.
ECOWAS noted that the deployment of the mission reaffirms its commitment to advancing peace, credible elections, and democratic consolidation across the region.
The Côte d’Ivoire presidential election comes at a sensitive moment, with growing political tension and regional concerns over instability in parts of West Africa. Observers say ECOWAS’ engagement will be crucial in ensuring transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
