From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Former Nigerian head of state and one of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Yakubu Gowon has denied reports that he turned down the invitation to intervene in the crises ravaging the regional body.
Speaking to State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Gowon who disclosed that this was part of why President Bola Tinubu met with him, said there was a miscommunication.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with ECOWAS Commission, had invited newsmen to a “press conference” with Gowon at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters, Abuja.
He was to speak on the current state of affairs at the regional level, with regards to coups and subsequent threat by the Republic of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to exit the organization and perhaps, proffer lasting solutions to the challenge.
The three military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on January 28, announced their intention to exit ECOWAS over allegation of the regional body becoming a threat to its members, being “under the influence of foreign powers and of betraying its founding principles.”
They also accused the regional body of not supporting them in their fight against terrorism and insecurity, while imposing illegal, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions against them, following coups.
ECOWAS had repeatedly called on the three countries to return to civilian rule by imposing sanctions and denying them plans for lengthy democratic transitions.
Speaking on the visit the former head of state said: “This is my first visit to Mr President since the inauguration but I was there at the inauguration to wish him well and all success. If you remembered how busy he was after that visitors, members of government, various personalities, so it was not possible for me to be able to see him.
“After the time I had to travel abroad but from broad he was able to reach me on my birthday and after that interesting social media report that I was dead. “But when I came back I made a number of efforts but unfortunately I think because of his busy programme it was not possible for me to see him.
“ But luckily enough, this time he was able to give me the opportunity to see him and to discuss various matters especially the issue of the ECOWAS problem at the moment which I think needs to be resolved. And being the surviving leader, or founding fathers of the ECOWAS I think we had to discuss some of his plans in order to see what can be done to bring the matter under control. So, this is what has brought me here and we had a very interesting meeting.
“And I’m sure some of you have read report that I refused to attend ECOWAS conference isn’t it? Is it you that did that report? Who did that? You know trying to give that impression that it was me who was probably trying to sort of sabotage ECOWAS. No, that is not the case.
“I think there was a miscommunication but then it gave the opportunity for Mr President to call me so that we can discuss what I was to do.
“So that ECOWAS meeting was part of the discussion we had today. So that has been done and solved and I hope that we can probably be able to have that message done later on today at ECOWAS headquarters probably by 5pm they will let you know.”