By Umoh Sunday
Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) has endorsed Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara for the role of Commonwealth Secretary-General ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for October 2024 in Samoa. The Commonwealth is a group of 56 countries with a total population of 2.7 billion that work together on shared interests. The Commonwealth was formed by the British Parliament in 1931 and its members are mostly former parts of the British Empire.
“His deep understanding of global challenges, coupled with his unwavering commitment to Africa’s progress, makes him an ideal leader to guide the Commonwealth in this pivotal era’’, the senator said.
Nwoko highlighted Tangara’s extensive diplomatic experience, particularly his tenure as one of the longest-serving African foreign ministers.
Tangara’s focus on development and human rights resonates with many across the continent.
Nwoko called on African heads of state to unite in backing Tangara’s candidacy, seeing it as a unique opportunity to further African interests within the Commonwealth framework.
“These pressing matters align closely with my advocacy for reparative justice for Africa, and I am convinced that under Tangara’s leadership, the Commonwealth can play a transformative role in addressing them,’’ he said.
Tangara’s speech at Chatham House in London earlier this month has built momentum behind his campaign. At the debate Tangara faced off against his principal rival
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a Ghanian lawyer who has been Foreign Minister of Ghana since 2017. Joshua Phoho Setipa, the first Lesotho national nominated for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, is seen as a long-shot. Other candidates have dropped from the field. This means the next secretary general is likely to be from an ECOWAS state.
Nwoko also said he urged to speak out following Tangara’s speech at Chatham House in London. Tangara outlined a new vision for the Commonwealth to use its influence as a global network to solve a variety of global problems.
The only other African head the organization was Chief Emeka Anyaoku from Nigeria served from 1990 to 2000. He was the first African to hold the position and was known for promoting democracy and human rights within the Commonwealth.
Ned Nwoko is a senator representing Delta North and has been in office since June 2023. Very much a product of the Commonwealth, he attended King’s College in London and also studied in Belize. He previously was a member of the House of Representatives in Nigeria two decades ago from 1999-2003.
Sunday is a freelance journalist and country representative for the international center of Maritime Security.
