The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has reacted to the coup in Guinea-Bissau, accusing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of applying double standards in its response to the disruption of the country’s electoral process through a military takeover.
In a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, Obi said that while ECOWAS swiftly condemned the military-arranged disruption in Guinea-Bissau, it had remained silent on similar “technology glitches” witnessed in other countries.
He argued that glitches of any kind must be condemned, as they undermine democratic processes.
“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.