photo credit: punch.ng

On account of the intensifying coup and growing apprehension that it could spread to other countries on the continent, the Federal Government has said Nigerians have nothing to worry about.

the information and national orientation minister stated, Mohammed Idris Malagi, while speaking on the issue said:

“Nigeria is a different country. Nigerians will no longer accept such, so it will be difficult for anyone, at this point of our national development, to come out to do that or for us to start nursing any apprehension. We have very strong democratic institutions, so it is very difficult for anybody to just take up arms against the state. So, there is no apprehension at all.

“We have to stand up against military takeover anywhere on the continent. That does not mean we are afraid that such could happen in Nigeria. The fact that something like that happened elsewhere does not mean we have to live in fear. No, we have gone past that.”

When asked if there would be any shakeup in Nigeria, the minister said government did not have such plans, adding that Nigeria’s democracy remained stable and peaceful.

He added,

“That does not even arise. Let’s not talk about what does not even exist at all. Nigeria is stable and peaceful, and all our democratic institutions are very strong and are getting stronger. Like I said, there is no fear or apprehension at all.”

The minister also emphasised that President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS, is not interested in any war with Niger.

Many Nigerians had rejected the initial threat by the Tinubu-led ECOWAS that it would consider military action against Niger if it failed to reinstate Bazoum and revert to democratic rule within seven days.

Meanwhile, after persuasion and several peace moves, ECOWAS appears to be considering peace moves, a position adopted by the subregional Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.

Tinubu on Thursday proposed a nine-month-transition period to the junta.

The minister however stressed that Tinubu remained committed to peace in Niger.

He said,

“The President is interested in the peaceful resolution of this conflict. Of course, he has maintained consistently that there is nothing off the table, but the preference and number one choice for Mr President is that there should be a very peaceful resolution of the conflict there or the return to democratic order.

Ex-generals caution politicians

To halt the resurgence of coups on the continent and avoid it in Nigeria, some retired generals have said the only way out is for democratically elected leaders to respect the constitution and ensure good governance.

They noted that while coups were not desirable, people no longer wanted to be taken for granted.

Speaking with newsmen, a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, stated that the coups were a reflection of how the elected leaders ruled their countries.

According to him, no one would have any moral justification to support a coup against a government that keeps its campaign promises and has respect for the country’s constitution.

Also, Brig.-Gen. Phillip Ashim, said the way to stop coups in Africa was to ensure that the people enjoy good governance. “That is common knowledge, it is good governance. .

photo credit: punch.ng

On account of the intensifying coup and growing apprehension that it could spread to other countries on the continent, the Federal Government has said Nigerians have nothing to worry about.

the information and national orientation minister stated, Mohammed Idris Malagi, while speaking on the issue said:

“Nigeria is a different country. Nigerians will no longer accept such, so it will be difficult for anyone, at this point of our national development, to come out to do that or for us to start nursing any apprehension. We have very strong democratic institutions, so it is very difficult for anybody to just take up arms against the state. So, there is no apprehension at all.

“We have to stand up against military takeover anywhere on the continent. That does not mean we are afraid that such could happen in Nigeria. The fact that something like that happened elsewhere does not mean we have to live in fear. No, we have gone past that.”

When asked if there would be any shakeup in Nigeria, the minister said government did not have such plans, adding that Nigeria’s democracy remained stable and peaceful.

He added,

“That does not even arise. Let’s not talk about what does not even exist at all. Nigeria is stable and peaceful, and all our democratic institutions are very strong and are getting stronger. Like I said, there is no fear or apprehension at all.”

The minister also emphasised that President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS, is not interested in any war with Niger.

Many Nigerians had rejected the initial threat by the Tinubu-led ECOWAS that it would consider military action against Niger if it failed to reinstate Bazoum and revert to democratic rule within seven days.

Meanwhile, after persuasion and several peace moves, ECOWAS appears to be considering peace moves, a position adopted by the subregional Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.

Tinubu on Thursday proposed a nine-month-transition period to the junta.

The minister however stressed that Tinubu remained committed to peace in Niger.

He said,

“The President is interested in the peaceful resolution of this conflict. Of course, he has maintained consistently that there is nothing off the table, but the preference and number one choice for Mr President is that there should be a very peaceful resolution of the conflict there or the return to democratic order.

Ex-generals caution politicians

To halt the resurgence of coups on the continent and avoid it in Nigeria, some retired generals have said the only way out is for democratically elected leaders to respect the constitution and ensure good governance.

They noted that while coups were not desirable, people no longer wanted to be taken for granted.

Speaking with newsmen, a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, stated that the coups were a reflection of how the elected leaders ruled their countries.

According to him, no one would have any moral justification to support a coup against a government that keeps its campaign promises and has respect for the country’s constitution.

Also, Brig.-Gen. Phillip Ashim, said the way to stop coups in Africa was to ensure that the people enjoy good governance. “That is common knowledge, it is good governance. .