Tinubu said, “I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger.”
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Bola Tinubu has warned that the ECOWAS would not tolerate any attempt to unseat the democratic government in Niger Republic.
Speaking on Wednesday in a statement in his capacity as Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu said he was closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country.
He added that the ECOWAS would do everything within its powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted in the region.
Reports say Niger President Mohamed Bazoum is being detained by members of the Presidential Guard, who have been given an “ultimatum” by the army.
Tinubu said, “Information filtering in from the Republic of Niger indicates some unpleasant developments around the country’s highest political leadership.
“It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.
“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.
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“I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.
“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.”
Tinubu added, “As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”
Bazoum was democratically elected in 2021, taking the helm of one of Africa’s poorest and most coup-prone countries.