Nigeria’s acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has on behalf of the Federal
Government of Nigeria condemned in strong terms the recent developments
in Cote d’Ivoire in which a small fraction of the country’s Armed Forces
mutinied against the Government.
It was contained in a statement by Laolu Akande, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
It said “Nigeria presses strong and unflinching support for the
Government of President Alhassan Ouattara and welcomes ongoing efforts
at resolving the crisis.
“In this context, the Federal Government urges the parties to the
crisis to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm and continue with
dialogue and negotiations with the Government of President Ouattara.
“Nigeria also urges the mutineers to return to their barracks and to
refrain from any action capable of undermining the peace, security and
democracy in the country.
“The Federal Government further urges the people of Cote d’Ivoire to
remain steadfast in their support for the Government and to refrain from
giving support to the mutineers in the overall interest of peace,
tranquillity, good order and prosperity of the country”.
The coup in Cote d’Ivoire occurred at a time Nigeria’s Army Chief, TY
Buratai, Tuesday, personally confirmed that politicians were holding
meeting with Army officers and soldiers.
He vowed to punish any indicted officer or soldier taking part in
such meetings, warning that the Army hierarchy will not sit back and
allow mutiny against constituted authority.
His alarm was an affirmation that powerful forces may be enticing Army personnel to come out of the barracks to topple President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
The unholy alliance, it was gathered, followed the health crisis of
the President which some elements are trying to use to seize power.
Nigerians have been expressing concern over the alarming statement by
the Army chief and more worried over the safety of Acting President
Osinbajo due to absence of his principal, Buhari.