By Danjuma Amodu
ABUJA — The Federal Government has rejected claims that Nigeria or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the reports circulating on social media as false and mischievous.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said on Thursday that Nigeria had never supported, and would not support, any military coup or unconstitutional change of government in any country.
In a statement, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained a defender of constitutional order, democracy and regional stability, stressing that the country would not endorse illegality “no matter who is involved or which country is concerned.”
He recalled the ministry’s August 30 statement on the situation in Niger, in which Nigeria expressed concern over developments in the neighbouring country and called for a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order.
According to him, Nigeria’s position on unconstitutional changes of government remains unequivocal, adding that the use of force to resolve political differences was contrary to the country’s longstanding foreign policy.
“While Nigeria is a proud and committed member of ECOWAS, it is unfair, mischievous and entirely false to suggest that Nigeria endorses or condones the military coup,” the minister said.
Enikanolaiye urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online which, he said, were aimed at sowing discord and misleading the public.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as well as the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy on unconstitutional changes of government.
The minister said Nigeria would continue to work with ECOWAS, the AU and the international community to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law and promote peace and stability across West Africa, the Sahel and the wider African continent.
