The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential standard-bearer, Peter Obi, has condemned the Economic Community of West African States for what he described as double standards in handling democratic disruptions across the West African sub-region.
Obi, who spoke via his verified X handle on Sunday, accused the regional body of applying different yardsticks in responding to electoral breaches, particularly citing the recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau.
The former Anambra State governor questioned why ECOWAS moved swiftly to impose sanctions on Guinea-Bissau following the military intervention, while allegedly turning a blind eye to electoral irregularities perpetrated through technological means in other member states.
“On Thursday, 27th November, I arrived in Abuja early in the morning after attending a productive meeting at the European Parliament.
“I listened closely to the press briefing by Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who, as a former President and election monitor in Guinea-Bissau, noted that the so-called coup appeared suspicious.
“Suspicious particularly because it was the president himself who announced the coup and shared details with the international community.
“What makes the situation even more striking is that the election was reportedly peaceful, with only the formal announcement of results outstanding.
“ECOWAS was quick to sanction Guinea-Bissau, but what does ECOWAS do when democracy is subverted, not by soldiers, but by technology?” he queried.
Obi insisted that all forms of electoral manipulation, whether orchestrated by military forces or facilitated through technological interference, deserved equal condemnation from the regional bloc.