In a letter dated March 25, the principal of the Chamber, Chief Festus Ogwuche, said Tinubu is in gross violation of the bloc’s treaty on the sustenance and promotion of democracy in the region.
He noted that President Tinubu’s action not only undermined the democratic principles and values that the regional bloc purported to uphold but equally threatened the stability and security of the entire region.
He said: “The suspension of democratic institutions and the imposition of a neo-junta regime in Rivers State are a clear violation of the ECOWAS treaty, which emphasises the importance of democratic principles and human rights.”
Ogwuche added that Article 4(g) of the ECOWAS stipulates that “the community shall promote and safeguard democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Furthermore, Article 45(1) of the same treaty, the lawyer argued, provides that the community shall ensure that the rights of citizens are protected and promoted.
He insisted that President Tinubu’s action also contravened the provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which was ratified by all ECOWAS member states.
“The implications of these actions are far-reaching and potentially disastrous for the region. If allowed to stand, they will create a precedent for the suppression of democratic institutions and the imposition of authoritarian rule in other member states,” he said.
Beyond these, Ogwuche further alleged that President Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule in a Nigerian state undermined the progress made by ECOWAS in consolidating democracy and stability in the region.
Consequently, he recommended the suspension of President Tinubu as the chairman of the regional government pending when he restores the democratically elected government in Rivers State.
“In the light of these developments, I strongly recommend that President Tinubu be removed forthwith as chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“His leadership has to uphold the principles and values of ECOWAS, and his continued tenure will only serve to undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the organisation.
“It totally diminishes the avowed commitments of the regional body to democratic governance alongside its commitments to a human rights laden order,” he stated.
