The Federal Government has dismissed claims that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States supported the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the allegations as false and deliberately intended to damage Nigeria’s image.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the clarification in a statement on Thursday, stressing that Nigeria had never supported and would not support military coups or unconstitutional changes of government. (ThisDayLive)
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained committed to constitutional order, democracy and stability across West Africa, the Sahel and the wider African continent.
He rejected suggestions circulating on social media that Nigeria or ECOWAS endorsed the military takeover in Niger, describing such claims as baseless and misleading.
The minister recalled the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ August 30 statement on developments in Niger, in which Nigeria expressed concern over the situation and called for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory process towards stability and constitutional order.
According to him, Nigeria’s membership of ECOWAS should not be interpreted as support for unconstitutional actions.
He stressed that Nigeria would not endorse illegality regardless of the country or individuals involved.
The clarification comes amid heightened political and security tensions in Niger, where a recent attempted uprising by soldiers challenged the country’s military government. Reports indicate that the mutiny was eventually contained, with Niger’s authorities receiving assistance from Russia’s Africa Corps. (AP News)
Enikanolaiye urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online which, according to him, were designed to create confusion and sow discord.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Union’s position against unconstitutional changes of government.
The minister said Nigeria would continue to work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to defend democratic governance, uphold the rule of law and promote peace and stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
The Federal Government’s clarification also underscores Abuja’s position that its engagement with Niger should not be interpreted as an endorsement of military rule or unconstitutional changes of government.
