LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep concern over the political upheaval in Gabon, following a military coup that saw President Ali Bongo ousted from power.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, told State House correspondents on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, that Tinubu is committed to democracy and believes that political disputes should be resolved through legal means, rather than by force.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is watching developments in Gabon very closely with deep concern for the country’s sociopolitical stability and the seeming autocratic contagion apparently spreading across different regions of our beloved continent,” Ngelale stated.
The President emphasized that power should lie in the hands of the people, not at “the barrel of a loaded gun.”
Tinubu’s stance is seen as a part of his broader approach toward governance and democracy, which includes his sacrifices in advancing and defending democracy in Nigeria.
“Tinubu affirmed that the rule of law and a faithful recourse to constitutional resolutions and instruments of electoral dispute resolution must not at any time be allowed to perish from our great continent,” Ngelale added.
According to the Special Adviser, President Tinubu is actively communicating with other African Union leaders to reach a consensus on how to respond to the crisis in Gabon and other instances of autocratic rule emerging in Africa.
This comes amid rising international concern about the series of military coups in Africa, a trend that threatens to undermine democratic governance.
The United States has already expressed its deep concern and vowed to support democratic ideals in Africa.
