President Bola Tinubu has offered his perspective on the recent coup in Gabon, where President Ali Bongo was ousted and placed under house arrest. This military intervention followed concerns over perceived flaws in the recent general election in the central African nation.
Military personnel behind the coup cited deficiencies in the organization of the August 26, 2023 general elections, claiming it failed to meet the criteria for transparency, credibility, and inclusiveness. They also expressed worries about the nation’s governance, pointing to its contribution to social disintegration and the potential for chaos.
Responding on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, conveyed the President’s deep concern over the apparent rise of autocratic tendencies across various regions of the African continent.
Ngelale emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to democracy and the belief that true power should rest with the people, not through the use of force. He underlined the importance of upholding the rule of law and turning to constitutional mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
Ngelale quoted President Tinubu, stating, “The rule of law and a faithful recourse to the constitutional resolutions and instruments of electoral dispute resolution must not at any time be allowed to perish from our great continent.”
Furthermore, the statement outlined President Tinubu’s engagement with fellow Heads of State in the African Union, as he seeks a comprehensive consensus on the way forward for Gabon. His efforts extend to crafting a united response to the alarming trend of autocracy that has surfaced in different parts of Africa.