The military authorities of Niger, Burkina Fasso and Mali have been advised to reconsider their decision of quitting the political and economic alliance of ECOWAS, warning of the hardships the move would force on their citizens.
The chairman, North East Cooperatives Stakeholders Forum Barrister Abdullahi Ibrahim Jalo, made the call on Thursday, during the inauguration of the local government chapters of the group, held at the ministry of commerce, Bauchi.
Barrister Jalo said the departure from ECOWAS would further weaken the regional group which has struggled to curtail a retreat of democracy in West Africa that started in Mali in 2020.
He urged ECOWAS to redouble its effort towards diplomacy, dialogue and reconciliation for the overall development of the region.
According to Barrister Abdullahi Jalo, the three countries may not meet the conditions of creating a new currency that include having the required foreign reserve.
To the newly inaugurated local government chapter, Barrister Jalo called on them to work out modalities of encouraging local business in their respective areas through the promotion of local businesses.
He called on the federal and state governments in the region to support local trade and entrepreneurship to achieve self-reliance.