From London hospital, Buhari condemns attempted Niger Republic coup

Mr Buhari was a beneficiary of a military coup which overthrew a democratically elected government in 1983 on December 31 bringing Nigeria and its citizens to its knees with dictatorial fervour but

News Agency of Nigeria • April 1, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari and President Mahamadou Issoufou

President Muhammadu Buhari has from his London hospital condemned the attempted coup in Niger Republic.

Mr Buhari is claimed to be originally from Niger Republic.

Mr Buhari had said, through his media aide Garba Shehu, that he could run Nigeria from a London hospital while on a medical checkup.

A statement by Mr Shehu in Abuja, on Wednesday quoted Mr 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.”

According to the media aide, Mr Buhari spoke with Mahamadou Issoufou, his counterpart and outgoing Nigerien President over the telephone.

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

Mr Buhari was a beneficiary of a military coup which overthrew a democratically elected government in 1983 on December 31 bringing Nigeria and its citizens to its knees with dictatorial fervour but now a born-again democrat.

”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.

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

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