Accra, Ghana, October 27, 2024
The Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Union Legislatures (CoSPAL), at its 2nd General Assembly held in Accra, Ghana, has historically and unanimously elected Ambassador Dapo Oyewole of Nigeria as the inaugural Secretary-General. Serving as Senior Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria, Oyewole will hold the office for a four-year term, charged with advancing CoSPAL’s mission of pan-African parliamentary collaboration.
CoSPAL, founded by the current Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President and former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, is dedicated to fostering dialogue, cooperation, and unified legislative action among Speakers, Presidents, and Heads of African National Assemblies. Its mission is to address shared challenges, champion democratic governance, and mobilise collective solutions to advance sustainable development across the continent.
Today, CoSPAL is chaired by Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, who has been re-elected to lead the organisation for a second term.
Reflecting Nigeria’s strategic role within CoSPAL, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila was elected Chair of CoSPAL’s Advisory Committee, further strengthening Nigeria’s influence and commitment to legislative leadership across Africa. Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who represented the Nigerian Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, at the assembly, advocated for Nigeria’s significant contribution to CoSPAL, securing two key positions to represent West Africa and proposing new amendments to strengthen CoSPAL’s constitution, promote transparency, and foster operational efficiency within the organisation.
In his congratulatory message, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila expressed full confidence in Oyewole’s ability to elevate CoSPAL’s standing, stating, “You have our full support and unwavering confidence as you undertake this historic role to strengthen Africa’s legislative impact on development.” Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate, and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu echoed similar sentiments, stating, “I know you will do a good job,” and “We have every confidence that Dapo Oyewole will deliver and make Nigeria and Africa proud.”
As Secretary-General, the inaugural Secretary General now has the task of will focus on expanding CoSPAL’s partnerships across Africa and globally, engaging with regional and international organisations to reinforce the influence of African legislatures on global platforms. His mandate includes developing a strategic plan for CoSPAL, and a framework for the organisations growth, promoting the organisation as Africa’s premier indigenous, pan-African platform for legislative leadership, and driving collaborations that uphold democratic values and foster human security across the continent.
The Secretary General Amb. Dapo Oyewole will be sworn in alongside other executives and officials on Sunday, 27th October by the chairperson of the organisation, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin the Chairperson of CoSPAL.
In the face of democratic backsliding across parts of Africa, CoSPAL’s role is critical in strengthening the continent’s legislative institutions as champions of democracy. By convening constructive engagements between Speakers and Presidents of African legislatures, CoSPAL aims to reinforce the foundations of legislative governance, ensuring that democratic principles drive development and enhance human security throughout Africa. By fostering collaboration and a shared commitment to democratic integrity, CoSPAL is dedicated to realising the full potential of democracy to deliver sustainable growth and security for all Africans.
Initially, the CoSPAL Secretariat will operate out of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) complex, symbolising a strategic base for coordinating the organisation’s activities and facilitating further engagement with African legislative bodies and international partners.
CoSPAL Secretariat
Accra, Ghana
