Nigeria’s President Mohamed Bazoum has been sacked by a Military coup led by Colonel – Major Amadou Abdramane announcing complete dissolution of the constitution, on Wednesday night. The coup was announced via a televised address by the Colonel.
Informing the world through National Television, a group of soldiers led by Colonel Amadou Abdramane, have removed the Nigerian President Bazoum from power and taken full control of the regime henceforth. The Colonel addressed the nation by decreeing to overthrow a government which deteriorated the “security situations” of the country and exhibited “poor economic and social governance”. Mohamed Bazoum affirmed that the soldiers were functioning for the National Council for the Safeguard of The Homeland.
The Borders of the country have been shut off along with an absolute dissolution of all authoritative legal power and constitution. The ministers in charge are ordered to take cognizance of all routine activities, while all institutions remain closed. Colonel Abdramane has openly forbade any international intervention in the matter.
Additionally, a stringent night curfew from 10PM to 5AM has been imposed in the West African country. The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has offered his immutable support to President Bazoum. Concerns have also been expressed by The United States’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken after a phone call with President Bazoum. The President was an important ally for the West in eradicating Islamic militancy in Nigeria.
Nigeria is also a key confederate of the EU (European Union) to help combat illegal migration from Sub-Saharan Africa. This marks the seventh coup in the Central and Western Africa region after 2020 and problematises the West’s resolve to joust with Islamic militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, two of the strongest Islamic terrorist organisations.
Bazoum was elected in April 2021 after a democratic election while the country grappled with abject poverty, long standing political instability and Islamic insurgence. Nigeria was a colony of the French until 1960 and his election was the first instance of a peaceful ascend to democratic power.
African Commissions and ECOWAS (Economic Community of the Western African States) rendered the coup as an attempt to destabilise the political situation of the country. The ECOWAS commission’s chairman released a statement extending support to the Niger Government on behalf of all “lovers of democracy” and condemned the political heresy.
Currently, the President is in the custody of the Presidential Guards. Furthermore, PG confirmed the safety and sound health of the President and his family. The soldiers who couped against the Nigerian President were also a part of the Presidential Guard. The Presidency has warned these members of a probable attack provided “they do not return to a better disposition”.
