In the wake of the military takeover in Gabon, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has revealed his collaborative efforts with the African Union (AU) to strategize the next course of action. The coup unfolded shortly after President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family has held power for fifty years, was declared to have secured a controversial third term in a disputed election.
The coup leaders in Gabon not only declared the nullification of the election results but also placed President Ali Bongo and his family under house arrest. Responding to this development, President Tinubu, who currently serves as the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasized the necessity of upholding the rule of law in Africa.
President Tinubu’s stance was conveyed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, during a press conference held at the State House in Abuja. Ngelale emphasized that Tinubu, having personally made considerable sacrifices in his pursuit of democracy, strongly advocates for the empowerment of Africa’s people rather than the exertion of power through force.
Ngelale conveyed, “The President is resolute that the rule of law and adherence to constitutional resolutions and mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes must remain steadfast in our continent’s narrative.” He further stated that Tinubu is actively engaged in close communication with fellow African heads of state within the AU framework, in order to achieve a comprehensive consensus regarding the future course of action in Gabon. This collaborative effort also aims to address the challenge of autocracy that has been spreading across the continent.