There is growing tension in Niger Republic as soldiers reportedly detain the Nigerien President, Mohamed Bazoum, and deny access to his palace on Wednesday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Chairman, warned the soldiers that ECOWAS would not tolerate a coup.
Tinubu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying that ECOWAS would not tolerate actions that incapacitate democratically-elected government in the sub-region.
The statement read: “I wish to say that we are 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.
“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”