Coups no longer acceptable in 21st century – Buhari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said the removal of a democratic government by force was no longer acceptable.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said this while joining President Barrack Obama and other world leaders in condemning the abortive coup attempt in Turkey by a group of rebel army officers and men.

The incident resulted in the reported death of more than 100 people.

The President said violence could never solve any problem but only complicates them.

Reacting to the events in Ankara, Istanbul and other centres,  Buhari said he was saddened by reports of a violent attempt to dismantle constitutional authority and disrupt the democratically elected government of Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey.

“The removal of a democratic government by force is no longer acceptable. Violence can never solve any problem but only complicates them and sets back the progress of democratic societies,” he said

The President also noted that President Erdogan is one of Nigeria’s close international partners and sincere supporters in its current war against terrorism.”

He added that all stakeholders should resist  the “destabilisation of democratic countries through coups d’état  in the 21st century.”

“Democracy provides peaceful options of changing governments through the ballot box. The ballot box doesn’t require violence to remove any government perceived to have lost its popularity and public support.

“Despite its limitations, democracy is still better and more durable than a violent change of government,” Buhari added.

The President praised the courage and immediate response of ordinary citizens who in face of guns and tanks defied the rebel soldiers and forced them to abandon their quest for power.

Buhari called on the President of Turkey to pursue reconciliation and offered Nigeria’s support to the government and people of Turkey in their hour of trial.