Tinubu to Niger coup leaders: We’ll not tolerate actions that impede smooth functioning of legitimate authority in your country

Nigeria’s president and chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Bola Tinubu, has warned that the union will not tolerate actions that impede the democracy of Niger and other West African nations.

Issuing this warning in a statement on Wednesday, President Tinubu who recently emerged as chairman of ECOWAS warned that the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically elected government of Niger.

“Information filtering in from the Republic of Niger indicates some unpleasant developments around the country’s highest political leadership. 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,” the statement read.

President Tinubu further disclosed that the leadership of ECOWAS was “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.”

The ECOWAS chairman further expressed support for the democratically elected government in Niger, warning that the union shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.