By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has named former Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as the head of its Election Observation Mission for the upcoming presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire.
In a statement issued by the regional bloc, the election is slated for October 25, 2025, with the observation mission scheduled to operate between October 19 and 29, 2025, in line with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“As Head of Mission, Osinbajo will lead a delegation of eminent West Africans who will engage with key national stakeholders to encourage a peaceful and credible electoral process.
“The team will also collaborate with international and domestic observer groups to assess the conduct of the polls,” the statement said.
ECOWAS explained that the deployment of the mission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections throughout the West African subregion.
The presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire is taking place at a crucial moment for the region, as several ECOWAS member states prepare for significant national polls in their ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic governance.