Gabon Coup: Tinubu Consults With AU, Canada, Expresses Reservations

President Bola Tinubu in reaction to the military takeover in Gabon on Wednesday morning, said he is watching developments unfolding in Gabon very closely.

Though, Tinubu added that it is with deep concern for the country’s socio-political stability and the seeming autocratic contagion appearing to spread to other parts of the African continent, he said he would continue to consult with the African Union as he held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, said “The President, as a man who has made significant personal sacrifices in his own life for the cause of advancing and defending democracy, remains steadfast in his unwavering belief that power belongs in the hands of Africa’s great people and not in the barrel of a loaded gun.

“The President affirms that the rule of law and a faithful recourse to constitutional instruments of electoral dispute resolution must not be allowed to perish from our great continent.

“To this end, the President will continue to communicate with other Heads of State within the African Union and beyond toward a comprehensive consensus on the next steps forward.”

Meanwhile, Tinubu on Wednesday held a substantive and extended phone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in which issues concerning a deepening collaboration across sectors were discussed.

The Heads of State mutually agreed that the promotion and protection of constitutional democratic governance on the African continent must be a top priority between their two countries and globally.

The two leaders discussed deepening investments in Nigeria in the sub-sector of Agro-processing and the need for greater support of older democracies in undergirding younger democracies in Africa in the fight against terrorism and poverty.

The Nigerian leader encouraged the Canadian leader to facilitate enhanced military cooperation while acknowledging the key contributions that Nigerians continue to make toward Canada’s economic development and public sector leadership.

President Tinubu also shared views with his Canadian counterpart with respect to the crisis in Niger Republic and the unfolding situation in Gabon.