The race for the office of Director General (DG), World Trade Organisation (WTO) is hotting up with a 15-member-state regional group, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) throwing its weight behind the candidacy of the Nigeria’s former Coordinating Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The endorsement by the regional group came as leaders in Africa like former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, also queued behind her.
This is a boost to Mrs Okonjo-Iweala candidature in the race following last week’s decision by the African Union (AU) to reject her nomination.
The president of ECOWAS, Mahamadou Issoufou, who announced the endorsement in a statement dated June 19, 2020, said the decision was taken based on the authority of the Heads of State and Governments of its member-countries.
He urged other African countries as well as non-African countries to join in endorsing the candidature of the former World Bank’s Managing Director, considering the need to field a strong and formidable African representative in the elections.
Atiku Abubakar roots for NOI
Endorsements FOR NOI
A former vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, in a tweet on Saturday threw his weight behind the former Coordinating minister of finance.
“I, Atiku Abubakar, endorse this message. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s experience and the enormous related works she has done confirms without equivocation that her leadership shall be a blessing to @wto and the world. -AA,” the tweet read.
Endorsement from Benin
The nomination of Nigeria’s former Minister for Finance and former Managing Director of World Bank, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has received a boost as Republic of Benin withdrew its nomination in support of the Nigeria’s nominee for the top job.
In a letter dated 12th June, 2020 and addressed to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Benin to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations based in Geneva, Switzerland, Benin informed the Permanent Missions of the Member States of the International Organization of La Francophonie (01F) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, of its decision to withdraw its candidate in the person of Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Benin in Geneva, His Excellency Eloi Laourou.
