Insecurity: President Tinubu urged to lead formation of united African republic

By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi

Nigeria’s President, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been called to lead the formation of a United African Republic (UAR) — a new federated nation made up of all ECOWAS member states.

The call was made by Nigerian author and Pan-African advocate, Edeh Benjamin, while speaking with Journalists in Bauchi.

He explained that the call was based on a visionary proposal that challenges the current political landscape across the countries in the subregion of Africa.

According to Edeh Benjamin, Nigeria’s worsening security challenges cannot be resolved through traditional political platforms like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or piecemeal constitutional reforms.

He opined that, instead, he advocated for a continental shift: the unification of West African countries into one sovereign entity — the United African Republic.

According to him, “The real solution is unity. The United African Republic, made up of all current ECOWAS countries, would function as a single nation. This will allow us to operate with one government, one defense force, and one economy.”

Edeh Benjamin, widely known as the author of “The Broken Wings of an Eagle” and a rising voice in the Pan-African movement, submitted a formal report urging the Presidency to take bold action.

He stressed that fragmented borders and national divisions in West Africa are colonial legacies that now enable insecurity, terrorism, and underdevelopment.

He further noted that as the current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is uniquely positioned to initiate a historic movement that would integrate the 15 ECOWAS countries — including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and others — into a unified country under the name United African Republic.

He stressed that, “This isn’t just a political dream. It’s a survival strategy,” Benjamin said. “Insecurity is a regional disease. We need a regional cure — and that cure is unity.”

He explained that the proposed UAR would have: A unified military and intelligence network; A central government representing all West African states; Shared citizenship, currency, and infrastructure and a single constitution binding all member countries as one nation.

In his report, Edeh Benjamin also recommended the establishment of a transitional committee within ECOWAS to begin drafting a federal constitution and roadmap for political unification.

He also urged for immediate continental consultations, youths mobilization, and educational campaigns across West Africa to promote the idea of unity.

He concluded by calling on President Bola Tinubu to act decisively and leave a lasting legacy, saying, “Let history remember you not just as a president of Nigeria, but as a founding father of a new African supernation — the United African Republic.”

The idea, though ambitious, has sparked interest across Pan-African circles, youth-led forums, and social platforms, where many are expressing support for a more united and stronger Africa.