Democracy is a very evocative notion. In the name of restoring or defending it, presidents have wielded bayonets, levied war, and executed coups. On 10 August, 2023 a summit of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rose from its convening in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, with an explicit order for “the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.”
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There appears no end in sight to the raging crisis gripping the West African sub-region in view of the military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Niger Republic and the resolve of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of governments to restore the country’s constitutional order through military activation if all diplomatic measures to force the Nigerien junta into total compliance fail.
A visible feature in every developed society is a high degree of accountability in governance in which every public operative is held accountable for any task he is mandated to implement. The corollary is the case in underdeveloped societies where accountability is weak. Nigeria is a good example of where accounting for leadership actions or decisions is virtually non-existent despite ample evidence that the nation’s constitution places premium on the concept of accountability.
As an advocate of constitutional democracy, firmly believing in the government of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, and for the PEOPLE; the situation in Niger République deeply concerns me and makes some of us very uncomfortable. The coup d’état in Niger resulted from ethnic and geopolitical power play. For example, in the aftermath of the coup, events have unfolded rapidly, revealing that a considerable number of Nigeriens support the military intervention, viewing the interventionists as saviors who will liberate their country from foreign dominance and exploitation of its resources.
After almost two weeks of a standoff between coup plotters in the Niger Republic, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), both parties are now ready to dialogue.
One seriously anticipated news for the past weeks has been the announcement of portfolios for the minister-designates, who were already confirmed by the national assembly last week. Everyone is looking forward to who will man what ministry, and if there will be rearrangements of ministries and how. This eventually happened on Wednesday, with the assignment of ministries to the ministers.
Negative criticism often focuses on what people cannot or should not do or believe, rather than presenting options or possibilities for action. Such criticisms are usually disabling instead of enabling. In Nigeria, a group of individuals has built a career out of judging others negatively and viewing them as inferior.
Our “dear old man”. How time flies! When at the peak of our conspiracies to save our country from Dictatorship I suggested the nick name “The Old Man” to disguise your persona. The “Old Man” theory was truly our great prayers for you to accomplish what was being intended for you and having accomplished that, to live long on the planet earth. We therefore, thank the almighty Allah today, because all our wishes for you then, have come to pass. At 82 today, you are therefore, the quientessial old man and congratulations on this momentous occasion, and happy birthday.
In 2015, the United Nations member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development known as Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) as a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals. (MDGs) and expired in 2015.
The hurriedly declared resolution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deploy troops to restore democracy and reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic, after the military takeover of power on the 26th of July, might have been influenced by the need to avoid foreign interventions that could lead to the kinds of destruction and agony evident in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, and elsewhere.