President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday condemned the attempted coup in Niger Republic, saying coups are out of fashion.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement said Buhari, who is currently in London for routine check-up, made his position known while speaking on the telephone with the outgoing President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou.
The statement was titled, “President Buhari condemns attempted coup in Niger Republic, says usurpation can’t be alternative to democracy.”
Shehu quoted the President as saying that “any illegal effort to depose a democratically elected government is not only despicable, but also unacceptable to democratic governments around the world.”
He said Buhari warned that the international community is hostile to the change of government by violent and unconstitutional means.
He further quoted the President as saying, “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.”
Shehu said the President also urged African leaders to “remain united against coups under whatever guise or form,” warning coup plotters to learn lesson from history on the consequences of instability caused by violent takeover of governments.
He said the Nigerian leader also congratulated the President-elect Mohamed Bazoum on his election victory and the outgoing President’s commitment to orderly and peaceful transfer of power.
Buhari also applauded the Niger’s security forces for suppressing the onslaught against the democratically elected government.
