President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the Niger Republic coup attempt, saying “any illegal effort to depose a democratically elected government is not only despicable but also unacceptable to democratic governments around the world.”
President Buhari in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Wednesday 31st March 2021, while speaking against the Niger Republic Coup attempt in a telephone conversation with Mahamadou Issoufou, his counterpart and outgoing President on the situation in Niger Republic, warned that “the international community is hostile to the change of government by violent and unconstitutional means.”
“It is utterly naive to attempt the removal of an elected government by force. “Military political adventurers should respect the will of the people and respect constitutional order.
“I’m particularly concerned about the negative impact of coups on African stability, peace and progress.
“Nigeria cannot be indifferent to these dangers to Africa. Coups are out of fashion and the involvement of the military in violent change of government is doing more harm than good to Africa”, the President said about the Niger Republic Coup attempt.
The Nigerian leader urged African leaders to “remain united against coups under whatever guise or form,” warning coup plotters to learn a lesson from history on the consequences of instability caused by violent takeover of governments.
President Buhari also used the occasion to congratulate President-elect Mohamed Bazoum on his election victory and the outgoing President’s commitment to an orderly and peaceful transfer of power.
The Nigerian leader also applauded the Niger’s security forces for suppressing the onslaught against the democratically elected Government of the people of Niger Republic.
President Muhammadu Buhari is on a medical trip to London, and he recently received the outgoing President of Niger Republic in Abuja, where a road was named after him, before this latest development.