The next one week will be crucial to the aspiration of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The meeting of the General Council of the WTO has been scheduled for November 9, 2020 for the final decision on the election process. The crucial meeting is the final process where the candidate selected is to get consensus endorsement of all the members. Already, U.S has placed a stumbling block on her ascension to the much sorted after position. US has refuse to back her. But in a statement on Thursday, Nigerian government said issued by the country will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria former Minister of Finance lead the world body.
The statement which was signed by Mr. Ferdinand Nwoye, the Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads: “Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the World Trade Organization is realised.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the third and final round of the selection process of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was concluded on Tuesday, 27th October, 2020 and the result was formally announced on Wednesday, 28th October, 2020.
“The candidate from Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has secured the support of majority of the member countries but is yet to be declared and returned the winner. This is because apart from winning the election, all the 164 Member States of WTO were expected to adopt the winner by consensus, in accordance with the rule of procedure of the WTO. It is important to highlight that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has secured cross-regional backing with only the United States opposing the consensus.
“The Ministry wishes to further inform that a meeting of the General Council of the WTO has been scheduled for November 9, 2020 for the final decision on the election process.
“Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the World Trade Organization is realised.”
