Nigeria, Nov. 24 -- Governance experts have urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to overhaul its approach to democracy, economic integration and regional stability, warning that the bloc risks further eroding its legitimacy if it continues to drift away from citizens' concerns.

The call was made during a panel discussion on Monday, the opening day of the West Africa Media and Development Conference (MDC 3.0), organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in Abuja.

Speaking on the panel themed "ECOWAS at 50: Reimagining Democracy and Development in the Region," Mina Mensah, Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Africa Office, said recent public support for military...