The Federal Government of Nigeria has condemned the inauguration of Gabonese General, Brice Oligui Nguema as the country’s head of state, calls for the immediate return to democracy.
In a statement, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, says Nigeria has joined “the larger international community to call for the immediate return to democratic constitutional order” in Gabon.
Recall that Oligui had on August 30, 2023, led a coup ousting President Ali Bongo who ruled for 14 years and still won the just concluded presidential elections.
The General was subsequently sworn in on Monday, September 4, as interim President of Gabon.
While taking the oath of office, he assured the people of Gabon that he will return power to the people.
Although Oligui, did not specify the transition period.
However, the Nigerian Government has said the inauguration of Nguema, without any notable transition period, will only cause chaos amongst the people of the country.
The statement read in part, “with no indication of a transition programme in place, only serves to fan the embers of growing discontent among the political class in the country.
“Nigeria, therefore, joins the larger international community to call for the immediate return to democratic constitutional order, which will go a long way to pacify dissident voices and restore trust and confidence to the electorate.
“Coups d’etat only serve to compound rather than address any perceived problems.
“The coup d’etat in Gabon is therefore, one coup too many in Africa and it is unacceptable at a time when Africa is aspiring to consolidate on democracy and democratic principles for the attainment of United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to partnering with other democratically elected governments in Africa to sanction perpetrators of unconstitutional change of government in line with the African Charter 2 on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ADC), until democracy is given the chance to thrive in every African country for the good of its peoples.”
