By Eyo Nsima

The former Speaker, Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned the latest military coup d’état in the Republic of Guinea, which culminated in the removal of  President Alpha Conde.

In a statement obtained by The Daily, http://www.thedaily-ng.com, his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, described the Coup as a “huge setback for democracy in West Africa that must not be allowed to stand”.

Specifically, he stated: “The coup in Guinea Conakry is yet another sad commentary on democracy and the quest for political stability and economic prosperity in West Africa.

“It is condemnable, unacceptable, and must never be condoned. Capture of power by unconstitutional means is against the letters and spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as well as the provisions of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

“So much sacrifices have been made to entrench democracy as a permanent means of governance in the sub-region and military officers in every part thereof must be made to understand that any attempt to scuttle it will always be met with rigid opposition by the leaders and peoples of the Community.

“Therefore, this is a call on the ECOWAS leaders and members of the international community to stand up to the coup plotters to ensure that they reinstate President Alpha Conde immediately.”

He added: “I must admit that our leaders must also strive and committedly bring to an end a culture of political impunity, winner-takes-all, sit-tight syndrome, and exclusionist tendencies in order to establish an egalitarianism, culture of democratic freedoms, rule of law, transparency, accountability, the sanctity of ballot box, respect for term limits to ensure that democracy and its blessings endure in all of West Africa.”