By Williams Amofokhai
Nigeria’s President and ECOWAS Chairman, Bola Tinubu has warned that the sub-region will not tolerate any coup in Niger Republic.
On Wednesday, the Presidential guards in Niger had seized President Mohamed Bazoum and blockaded his residence, as well as key ministries.
“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,” he warned.
Tinubu said ECOWAS was closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and would do everything within its powers to ensure democracy was firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in the 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.
“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 waver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order,” the president stated.
The BBC reports that despite fears a coup attempt is underway in the West African country, no shots had been heard.
It said the president’s office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.
Reports had said the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former leaders were involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating, but it is not clear if those talks are still taking place.
