Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Labour Party leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of applying double standards in its response to threats against democracy in the region.
Obi made the remarks in a post on his X handle while reacting to the reported coup incident in Guinea-Bissau, which briefly caused panic after former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan—who was in the country as an election monitor—became entangled in the unrest. The former Anambra governor expressed relief that Jonathan was safe and had since returned to Nigeria.
According to Obi, the Guinea-Bissau president announced a coup just before official election results were released, prompting swift condemnation and sanctions from ECOWAS. He questioned why the regional body did not show the same urgency in addressing the “technical glitch” that marred Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.
Obi argued that the nature of the 2023 election glitch—whose cause has never been clearly explained—raises serious concerns similar to those of a military coup, as both ultimately undermine the democratic rights of citizens.
He stressed that whether democracy is disrupted by “guns or by a designed technological failure,” the result is the same: people are denied their mandate.
For democracy to thrive, Obi said, ECOWAS must promote transparency and accountability in electoral processes. He challenged the organization to establish clear sanctions for countries that announce “glitches” at critical electoral moments, urging a consistent and constructive approach that strengthens democracy across West Africa.
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