President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern over information filtering in from the Republic of Niger, which according to him, indicates some unpleasant developments around the country’s highest political leadership.
In a statement he personally issued on Wednesday, the president, who is chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, warned those involved in the ongoing affairs of the neighboring country that Nigeria will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically elected government.
While noting that he is in close consultation with other leaders in the subregion, he said Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in the Niger Republic.
The statement reads: “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 waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”
Reports emerging from Nigeria’s northern neighbour, indicate that presidential guards are holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital, which has been blocked off by military vehicles.
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