The immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has prayed that the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) would quickly swing into action to reverse the military coup in the Republic of Niger.
This is even as the ECOWAS meeting has been scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital on Sunday, July 30, to look into the coup.
A statement today, July 28, by the senior special assistant to ex President Buhari on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying: “it is heartening to note that the ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is already dealing effectively with the matter and our hope and prayers are that the unwanted situation will be completely reversed and the safety and wellbeing of President Bazoum and his family are ensured.”
The statement said that the former President was shocked by the latest turn of events in Niger Republic.
“Concerns have been raised about the fate of democracy as a system of government in the country and in the wider subregion, and equally so, about the safety of President Mohammed Bazoum and his family.
“I and my family are as much concerned about these as is everyone else.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu, has summoned a special meeting of the body to be held in Abuja, for the purpose of addressing the coup in Niger.
A statement by the Presidential spokesperson, Dele Alake, said: “following the coup in Republic of Niger that has upended the constitutional political leadership in the West Africa country, the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu will host a special meeting of the regional leaders on Sunday, July 30th in Abuja.
“President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday July 26, 2023, condemned the current political situation in the neighbouring country and promised that ECOWAS and the international community would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the sub-region.
“US Vice President Kamala Harris and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in separate telephone calls Thursday evening with President Tinubu affirmed the support of the US and UN for the position taken by ECOWAS and the Nigerian leader to restore constitutional order in Niger.”
