27 October 2009
Lagos — The Action Congress (AC) has commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for standing up for democracy and the rule of law by sanctioning Niger Republic.
AC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed made the commendation while briefing newsmen in Lagos yesterday. "By this action, the regional body has sent a very strong message to leaders who may want to tamper with their countries' constitutions for their selfish ends, that such actions will no longer be tolerated.
"The arguments offered by Niger, after it was suspended from the 15-member group, does not hold water.
"All that President Mamadou Tandja wants is third term, not the peace and unity of his country as his apologists want the world to believe," he said.
The AC spokesman said the party was particularly delighted that the ECOWAS leaders, who met at an extraordinary summit in Abuja last week, reiterated the "unflinching commitment of member, states to the principles of democracy and the rule of law, and its rejection of unconstitutional accession," he said.
Mohammed called for "more effective measures at regional and continental levels to combat incidences of violation of democracy".
"We are delighted by these strong declarations and we want them to be enforced uniformly, whether the country involved is big or small.
"Change of constitutions for selfish ends should not be the only reason for sanctions," the party said, adding that countries that fail to organise free and fair elections, must be shown the red card," he said.
AC, therefor called similar tough actions against Guinea, where a "stone-age military leader" had set in motion a crisis that if not quickly nipped in the bud could easily spiral out of control,
"Hopefully, when ECOWAS initiates these sanctions, other continental and global groupings, like the African Union, the European Union and the UN, will follow suit and quickly."
It will be recalled that ECOWAS Chairman, President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria announced the suspension of Niger, after an extraordinary meeting of the regional body two weeks ago.
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