Political scientist and activist, Professor Ibrahim Jibrin, yesterday noted that military rule is not a viable alternative to democracy in Nigeria and West Africa at large.
Jibrin who spoke at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States organised by the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation in Abuja said the military has been known for arbitrariness, repression and authoritarianism and hence won’t be suitable for the future of Nigeria and West Africa.
He said, “My view is that military rule cannot be a viable alternative to democracy. It’s about arbitrariness, it’s about repression, it’s about authoritarianism and this is not the direction we want to go.
“Currently, ECOWAS is reviewing its organisation to confront these challenges especially following the four coup d’etats that have happened in West Africa recently and the emergence of the AES states that has left ECOWAS.
“I think it’s a major point of challenge and we as civil society are engaged in this discussion to give our proposals on how ECOWAS can move forward.
“I feel that military rule is dangerous for the future of ECOWAS and the future of West Africa. We should deviate away from that path and go back to our normative system based on the coup d’etat.”
Also speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Project Manager for RLF, Angela Odah, stressed the need for ECOWAS to take stock of its achievements in the last 50 years.
“The Rosa Luxembourg Foundation is a German political foundation that has been in West Africa since 2010 and we feel that ECOWAS at 50 is a great opportunity to take stock about what the organisation has achieved in the last 50 years, how it has succeeded in integrating the countries within the region,(the achievements that have been made, the challenges, and identify what the opportunities are and use that as a roadmap towards the future,” Odah said.
An October 19 report by Sahara Reporters alleged that some officers were plotting to overthrow the government, a claim later dismissed by the Defence Headquarters.
The Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the arrests linked to a coup were “issues of indiscipline” within the ranks, describing the report as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
The Defence Headquarters urged the public to disregard rumours of political motives, reiterating that Nigeria’s military remains loyal to the constitution and committed to democracy.
The controversy comes amid heightened anxiety following a wave of coups in West Africa, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali where juntas have toppled elected governments.
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