President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has said that the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) frowns on any attempt to truncate democracy in Niger Republic.
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said this in a statement he personally signed amid reports of a coup in Niger Republic.
Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been reportedly detained by members of his Presidential Guard, who have been given an “ultimatum” by the army.
Tinubu described the situation in Niger Republic as “unpleasant developments”.
“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.
“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.
“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,” Tinubu said.
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