President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday said
the removal of a democratic government by force
was no longer acceptable.
In a statement released by Garba Shehu, the
Presidential Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday,
said the removal of a democratic government by
force was no longer acceptable.
Presidential Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday,
said the removal of a democratic government by
force was no longer acceptable.
Below is the statement in full;
PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDEMNS COUP ATTEMPT
IN TURKEY, CONGRATULATES ERDOGAN ON
SURVIVING THE PUTSCH
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined President
Obama and other world leaders in vehemently
condemning the abortive coup attempt in Turkey
by a group of rebel army officers and men, which
resulted in the reported death of more than 100
people.
Reacting to the tragic events in Ankara, Istanbul
and other centres, President Buhari says he is
"deeply 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."
The President also notes that President Erdogan is
one of Nigeria's close international partners and
sincere supporters in its current war against
terrorism, adding that all should resist the
"destabilization of democratic countries through
coups d’état in the 21st century."
According to the President, “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.”
The President praises 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 mad quest for power.
President Buhari calls on the President of Turkey to
pursue reconciliation and offers Nigeria’s support
to the government and people of Turkey in their
hour of trial.
Mallam Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 17, 2016.
