ECOWAS leadership has warned that it will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.
Reacting to reports of a coup dètat in Niger Republic, the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, says they are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger, warning that they will do everything within their powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in the West Africa sub-region.
He further warns the plotters in 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 Chairman says he is in close consultation with other leaders in the region, stressing that they shall protect their hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.
President Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria stood firmly with the elected government in Niger and conveyed absolute resolve of leaders in the sub-region that they shall not waiver or flinch on their stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.
Similarly, Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, has deployed Patrice Talon of Benin Republic to Niger on a democracy rescue mission.
The two leaders met today in Abuja to discuss immediate solution to the attempted coup situation in Niger, where President Bazoum Mohammed is reportedly being detained.
President Tinubu told State House correspondents after the meeting that the situation would not be tolerated.
Bello Wakili
