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| Nnamdi Kanu: Nigeria suspends funds contribution to ECOWAS |
The Nigerian government is out to arm-twist the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), in order to obstruct justice in their pending case at the ECOWAS Court with Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, had dragged Nigeria to the ECOWAS court over his illegal detention, violation of his rights and torture by agents of the Nigerian government. Kanu asserts that Nigeria has thoroughly breached the ECOWAS treaty. Frantic efforts made by the Nigerian government stop proceedings at the court had so far failed. Hence, the decision of Nigeria to withhold its financial contributions to the sub-regional body.
The Sun reports that Nigeria is is however claiming that its decision to starve ECOWAS of funds was because it was no longer comfortable with the way things are run at the West African regional body.
Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, announced that the Nigerian government’s resolve yesterday, in Abuja during a dialogue with the media on the foreign policy posturing of Muhammadu Buhari's administration within the first one year of its tenure, hinting also that his ministry was tinkering with the idea of promoting Visa-free movement of citizens within Africa.
Responding to complaints of lose funds management and alleged shortchanging of Nigerians at the sub-regional body, he said the federal government, which is the largest financial contributor to the sub-regional body, has made its position clear to the new administration of ECOWAS on the urgent need for a re-jig of its management.
Confirming that a committee was already working on the matter, the minister said Nigeria has decided to withhold some of her funds, “until we see some meaningful changes in place”, adding that the government has made some proposals to the new leadership of the organization on how to make it more effective and representative of the needs and aspirations of the sub-region.
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