Former Nigerian head of state and one of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Yakubu Gowon, has turned down the invitation to intervene in the crises ravaging the regional body.

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.

Newsmen reports that 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.

Recall that ECOWAS has been calling on the three countries to return to civilian rule by imposing sanctions and denying them plans for lengthy democratic transitions.