Shehu Sani, a popular PDP chieftain and former Kaduna congressman, has reacted after Togo's President, Faure Gnassingbe who once vehemently opposed military governments in neighboring countries, has now breached the same ECOWAS rules to extend his own tenure in power.
According to reports, his party gained a parliamentary majority in legislative elections, on Saturday despite being in power since 2005. The election followed constitutional modifications earlier this year that could further extend Gnassingbe's 19-year rule, and opposition parties view this action as a plan to avoid term limits.
In a post Shehu made on his official X handle, he pointed out the absurdity of Togo's President's conduct. He claimed that the President had previously hidden behind ECOWAS to condemn military governments in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, but has now done the very thing he once criticized. He closed his post by adding that this move is a harsh warning of how democracy is gradually crumbling in West Africa, and the consequences of unfettered power.
He said and I quote;
"The Togolese President was one of those vehemently hiding behind ECOWAS to oppose the military Governments of Niger,Burkina Faso,Mali and Guinea.He has now breached same ECOWAS Rules and extended his tenure in power.This is how and why democracy slowly crumbles in West Africa."