The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has tapped former Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo to spearhead its Election Observation Mission (EOM) for Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming presidential election.
ECOWAS announced the appointment on Sunday, highlighting Osinbajo’s extensive experience in governance and regional diplomacy as key to ensuring a transparent and peaceful process.
As Head of Mission, Osinbajo, an esteemed legal scholar is expected to guide a delegation of prominent West African experts from October 19 to 29, 2025.
This timeline aligns with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, a cornerstone framework for upholding electoral standards across the 15-member bloc.
According to a statement issued by ECOWAS, Osinbajo’s team will engage critical stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, media outlets, and election officials, to foster dialogue and mitigate tensions.
They are also expected to collaborate with domestic and international observers, such as those from the African Union and European Union, to monitor polling stations, assess voter access, and evaluate the overall conduct of the elections
“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,” the statement said. “The team will also collaborate with international and domestic observer groups to assess the conduct of the polls.”
The regional body said the deployment of the mission underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections across West Africa.
