Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi has accused ECOWAS of “double standards” in its response to disruptions in electoral processes across West Africa.
Obi was reacting to the recent military-linked interruption of elections in Guinea-Bissau, which ECOWAS swiftly condemned.
In a statement posted on his X handle and titled “Reflecting on the ‘Coup Glitches’ in Guinea-Bissau,” Obi said it was ironic that the regional bloc responded promptly to the reported coup situation yet failed to address what he described as Nigeria’s own “technical glitch” during the 2023 general election.
He argued that while ECOWAS immediately denounced what he termed a “military-arranged glitch” in Guinea-Bissau, it remained silent on the unresolved technological failure that marred Nigeria’s polls.
According to him, both coup-related disruptions and technical malfunctions undermine democracy, suppress citizens’ rights and erode public confidence in electoral systems.
Obi questioned ECOWAS’ consistency, asking: “What does ECOWAS do when democracy is subverted not by soldiers, but by technology? Do we only condemn coups visible with guns and ignore those carried out through designed technological failures?”
He stressed that whether political or technical, any interference with the democratic process must attract accountability.
Obi added that the situations in Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau represent “two faces of the same crisis”—one disrupting ballots through force and the other through unexplained system failures. He called for greater transparency and integrity in elections across West Africa, insisting that true democracy thrives only when the will of the people is respected.
The Labour Party leader, who had just returned from a meeting at the European Parliament, said he became concerned after learning that former President Goodluck Jonathan—who was in Guinea-Bissau as an election observer—was caught up in the unfolding political tension. He noted that Jonathan later confirmed his safety and returned to Nigeria.
Citing Jonathan’s account, Obi said the alleged coup appeared “suspicious,” noting that it was the sitting president of Guinea-Bissau who announced the purported coup attempt despite reports that the voting process had been peaceful and was awaiting final results.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
