President Muhammadu Buhari who doubles as ECOWAS chairman has cautioned the military in Gabon against any attempt to overthrow the government of the country.
This was made known on Tuesday in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mr Garba Shehu.
“The military officers in Gabon should understand that the era of military coups and governments in Africa and indeed worldwide, is long gone.”
The President condemned the attempted takeover of the Gabonese government by military officers who seized the state radio station, declaring their dissatisfaction with President Ali Bongo, who is recovering from a stroke in Morocco.
Buhari also called for respect for constitutional provisions in the oil-rich west-central African nation.
“Democracy is supreme and the constitutional stipulations on the peaceful change of administration must be respected.”
“That is the only way we can ensure peace and stability not only within the country but also in the region.”
He urged military officers with political ambitions in the continent and beyond to resign or face their constitutional role.
He asked the people of Gabon to remain on the side of peace, security, stability and democracy in their country.
Meanwhile reactions have trailed Buhari’s condemnation of the coup in Gabon, as many recalled that he was a coupist and has no moral justification to condemn a coup.
Some were of the opinion that he had never respected the constitution of Nigeria, but was urging the Gabonese people to respect theirs.
They said charity must start at home.