Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused ECOWAS of applying double standards in its response to the electoral disruption in Guinea-Bissau, warning that both military and technological interference threaten democracy in West Africa.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Sunday and titled “Reflecting on the ‘Coup Glitches’ in Guinea-Bissau,” Obi questioned why ECOWAS swiftly condemned what he called a “military-arranged glitch” in Guinea-Bissau yet remained silent when other countries reported technical failures during crucial electoral moments.
Obi said he returned to Abuja on November 27 after a meeting at the European Parliament and listened closely to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who monitored the Guinea-Bissau elections. Jonathan had suggested the alleged coup was “suspicious,” noting it was President Umaro Sissoco Embalo himself who announced the coup attempt despite reports of a peaceful vote.
“What makes the situation even more striking is that the election was reportedly peaceful, with the only remaining step being the formal announcement of the results,” Obi said.
“ECOWAS was quick to sanction Guinea-Bissau, but what does ECOWAS do when democracy is subverted, not by soldiers, but by technology?”
He questioned whether West African leaders would ever hold any country accountable for announcing election “glitches” at critical stages.
“Do we only condemn coups that are visible with guns and ignore those carried out through a designed technological failure?” he asked.
Obi argued that both military interference and technical disruptions undermine citizens’ rights.
“Whether technical or political, these challenges can undermine democracy, hinder progress and obstruct the rights of African citizens to freely elect their leaders,” he said.
The former governor added that true democracy can only thrive when transparency, accountability, and the will of the people are respected.
“Together, we can ensure that the will of the people prevails and that our elections reflect the true desires of our citizens,” he said.
Obi warned that the Guinea-Bissau situation represents “two faces of the same crisis”—one where ballots are obstructed by force, and another where they are obstructed by “convenient technical issues.” In both cases, he said, “the people suffer, democracy is undermined, and the region sinks deeper into instability.”
