Nigeria Quits MOWCA

News broke yesterday that Nigeria has pulled out of the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA). The Nigerian contingent alleged that there was a disregard for the rules of procedure regarding the suitability of candidates nominated for the position of the Secretary-General of the organisation.

While there have been reports that the country pulled out after losing the elections, in a statement signed by Eric Ojiekwe, Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Transportation, the representatives for Nigeria said: “It is sad and most depressing given Nigeria’s ardent and consistent support for MOWCA and its activities, that Nigeria as a nation must take a stand against the promotion of illegality, disrespect for the rule of law and contravention of the rules regarding the election of the Secretary General of MOWCA.

“Nigeria draws the attention of the General Assembly to the comment of MOWCA as presented by MOWCA secretariat in the annotated Agenda circulated this week to the Committee of Experts meeting, which confirmed that Nigeria is the only country that met the age eligibility criteria that candidates must not exceed 55 years.

“The candidate nominated by Nigeria was 55 years as at when nominations closed in 2020, while the candidate of Guinea was 60 years old and that of Benin was 62 years old.”

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