President Bola Tinubu has condemned the military takeover of power in the West African sub-region, saying the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under his watch will no longer tolerate an illegal seizure of power.

“We will not allow coup after coup in West African sub-region,” Mr Tinubu said in his speech at the 63rd Summit of ECOWAS leaders in Bissau.

He added, “We will take this up seriously with African Union and extend that to European Union, Britain and America.”

The Nigerian leader emerged as ECOWAS’ new chairman on Sunday.

Mr Tinubu also warned military cut across West African countries to steer clear of politics, adding that democracy remains the best.

“Democracy is very tough to manage, but it is the best form of governance, and we all ascribe to it. We must bite back. We can’t sit like toothless bulldogs in ECOWAS.

“We should serve a warning to exploiters that our people have suffered enough. We should make a pledge here that in furtherance of our region’s economic recovery and growth, we will commit to democracy, promote democracy and the rule of law,” Mr Tinubu said.

In recent times, democratic governments have been toppled in military coups in Chad, Guinea, Mali, Sudan and Burkina Faso. 

Mr Tinubu assumed office as Nigerian president on May 29 following an election held on February 25. 

The Nigerian president’s speech against the military takeover of power in West Africa comes as opposition parties challenge his electoral victory in the court.