Former Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to lead the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025.
His arrival on Monday was announced in a statement by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday.
The regional body said the deployment of the mission aligns with the 2001 Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, underscoring ECOWAS’ commitment to peace, democratic governance, and regional stability.
Osinbajo, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023, is heading a mission of 187 observers.
Among them are 150 short-term observers, 15 long-term electoral experts and 22 young observers participating through the ECOWAS pilot program on youth involvement in election observation.
In addition, the mission is reinforced by 66 observers from the African Union (AU).
Assisting Osinbajo in leading the mission are two prominent diplomats; Baboucarr Blaise Ismaïla Jagne, former Foreign Affairs Minister of The Gambia and Mahamat Saleh Annadif, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Chad.
These observers are tasked with monitoring pre-election, election-day, and post-election activities to ensure the electoral process complies with both regional and international standards.
Osinbajo was received in Abidjan by top ECOWAS officials, including Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security and Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire.
In his remarks, Osinbajo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the mission and noted the warm hospitality of the Ivorian people.
He also voiced optimism that the election would be peaceful, credible, and transparent.
“It is an honour to lead this mission to such a peaceful and welcoming country. We are hopeful that the entire process will reflect the democratic aspirations of the Ivorian people,” he said.
Osinbajo, who also served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, brings decades of legal and governance experience to his new regional role.
The October 25 poll is particularly significant as President Alassane Ouattara, aged 83, has announced his intention to seek a fourth term in office.
