Togo’s president has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo, the presidency announced on state television late Wednesday.

No reason was given for Houngbo’s resignation, which came amid a series of protests launched by a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, Let’s Save Togo, that have led to dozens of arrests.

“On Wednesday, the prime minister presented his resignation and that of his government. The president of the republic accepted it,” said the statement from the office of President Faure Gnassingbe.

A former United Nations undersecretary general, Houngbo was nominated to the prime minister’s post in September 2008 by Gnassingbe, a member of the family that has ruled the small west African nation for four decades.

Gnassingbe took over the presidency in 2005 following the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for 38 years with an iron fist.

Last month, several thousand people gathered in the capital Lome over changes to the electoral law opposition members say were forced through by the dominant governing party.

Security forces broke up a demonstration on June 13 with tear gas, and the opposition claimed 119 people were wounded over two days.

Togo’s former colonial power France has condemned the violence and urged measures to ensure transparent and peaceful polls, which are expected to be held in October, although no precise date has yet been given.

Let’s Save Togo has argued more time was needed for reforms to be carried out before the vote.

Beaf: OP, there is little reason to post out of context.
I am sure 99.99% of Nigerians would prefer not to be ruled by a single man for decades, only for him to die and his son take over as is the case with Togo.

What should have concerned you is the very strange case of the Prime Minister resigning over demonstrations and the President on whose desk the buck stops accepted.

Please, google both Eyadema and Gnasingbe for the full blast of what I have summarised in a few simplistic sentences to hit you square between the eyes.

Pray that we never have such nonsense in Nigeria, Abacha is the closest we came to such despotic rule.

gulfer: Beaf, answer the question, can a politician resign-either under duress or not?

Okija_juju: Whats the meaning of this na?!

Must we drag Nigeria into all your rubbish?!

Okija_juju: Whats the meaning of this na?!

Must we drag Nigeria into all your rubbish?!

Okija_juju: Whats the meaning of this na?!

Must we drag Nigeria into all your rubbish?!

Okija_juju: Whats the meaning of this na?!

Must we drag Nigeria into all your rubbish?!

Dhelake: Oga o! Dem dey Compare Togo with Nigeria ni sha ...

Dhelake: Oga o! Dem dey Compare Togo with Nigeria ni sha ...

gulfer: Save me that high horse statement, the fabled 'Giant of Africa' tale is now hogwash.
BTW what should be the basis of comparison if you know any; the question is simple, 'can this happen here?'
@ Beaf, the purported resignation of the Northern state lawmaker is from post as a deputy speaker and not from his position in the house.

Okija_juju:

The question is Why the fhuck should it happen here?!

And beafs explanation is Okay!! The PM resigned his position as Prime minister.. The Deputy speaker resigned his position as Deputy Speaker.. Whats your problem?!

Are you aware of any impediment or reason why he should also resign as an Assembly man?!


Again, stop with the comparison.. Nigeria is a Sovereign Country.. In Japan, there is a tradition called Seppuku where a person commits suicide as a form of Capital Punishment or to do pennace for a shameful act... and even for honour.. Why dont you also ask if it can happen in Nigeria!!

Inferiority complex come in different forms, check yourselves!!

Nigeria may not be great, but that dont give you the right to talk shit about her at every given chance..

gulfer: Beaf, answer the question, can a politician resign-either under duress or not?

nikaleyot: ibrahim babangida stepped aside .so what are U̶̲̥̅̊ talking about

Okija_juju:


He is prolly to young to know that

gulfer: Then you probably are too old to comprehend what a debate is or what a forum is for. I should spend lesser time trying to teach a Methuselah like you to be less on the defensive and stand outside yourself and critically make conclusions.

Emperoh: I don't know under what guise you are questioning if this is possible in Nigeria
But from what i know of Togo, this resignation is not pro-democracy.
Most likely, Houngbe has been hounded out office for apparently blocking Monsieur Gnassingbe.
So if this can happen in Nigeria? yes, Obasanjo hounded some ministers to resign during his tenure; (Okonjo Iweala).

So i don't know where this is coming from.

Okija_juju:

It's not a debate if it has happened severally...

Do well to check your facts.. Countless public office holders have resigned their positions at different times in our political history... So it's not a debatable question..

Lol @ Methuselah .. Feels good to be old...

double j1: Isn't the president the one ceremonial? or is it the prime minister that is ceremonial?

gulfer: Save me that high horse statement, the fabled 'Giant of Africa' tale is now hogwash.
BTW what should be the basis of comparison if you know any; the question is simple, 'can this happen here?'
@ Beaf, the purported resignation of the Northern state lawmaker is from post as a deputy speaker and not from his position in the house.