‘It’s Utterly Naive’ – Buhari Decries Attempted Coup In Niger Republic

• Buhari spoke with Mahamadou Issoufou, his counterpart and outgoing Nigerien President over the telephone – Garba Shehu

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attempted coup in Niger Republic.

Buhari, who’s in the United Kingdom for medical check up, condemned the attempted violent removal of the president in a statement on Wednesday.

Buhari had traveled to the UK without handing over to vice president Yemi Osinbajo.

Defending his action, Buhari had, through his media aide Garba Shehu, said that he did not violate the constitution by not officially entrusting the affairs of the country in Osinbajo hands, stating that he could run Nigeria from a London hospital while on a medical checkup.

However, reacting to development in Niger Republic, the statement by Shehu in Abuja, quoted Buhari to have said, “Any illegal effort to depose a democratically elected government is not only despicable, but also unacceptable to democratic governments around the world.”

Shehu disclosed that the president warned that the international community was hostile to the change of government by violent and unconstitutional means.

”It is utterly naïve 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 Africa’s 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 statement further quoted Mr Buhari.

The president urged African leaders to “remain united against coups under whatever guise or form,” while warning coup plotters to learn a lesson from history on the consequences of instability caused by a violent takeover of governments.

He also used the occasion to congratulate the President-elect, Mohamed Bazoum, on his victory and the outgoing president’s commitment to an orderly and peaceful transfer of power.

Buhari also applauded Niger’s security forces for suppressing the onslaught against the democratically elected government of Niger Republic.

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