Coups Are No Longer Acceptible, They Cannot Solve Any Problem —Buhari

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari says he is “deeply saddened” by reports of a violent attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government of Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey. Asserts Buhari: “The removal of a democratic government by force is no longer acceptable. Violence can never solve any problem but only complicates them and sets back the progress of democratic societies.”

President Buhari’s reaction to Turkey’s failed coup attempt was contained in a statement issued today by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. Read the full text of the statement as follows:

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDEMNS COUP ATTEMPT IN TURKEY, CONGRATULATES ERDOGAN ON SURVIVING THE PUTSCH

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined President Obama and other world leaders in vehemently condemning the abortive coup attempt in Turkey by a group of rebel army officers and men, which resulted in the reported death of more than 100 people.

Reacting to the tragic events in Ankara, Istanbul and other centres, President Buhari says he is “deeply saddened by reports of a violent attempt to dismantle constitutional authority and disrupt the democratically elected government of Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey.”

“The removal of a democratic government by force is no longer acceptable. Violence can never solve any problem but only complicates them and sets back the progress of democratic societies.”

The President also notes that President Erdogan is one of Nigeria’s close international partners and sincere supporters in its current war against terrorism, adding that all should resist the “destabilization of democratic countries

According to the President, “democracy provides peaceful options of changing governments through the ballot box. The ballot box doesn’t require violence to remove any government perceived to have lost its popularity and public support. Despite its limitations, democracy is still better and more durable than a violent change of government.”

The President praises the courage and immediate response of ordinary citizens who in face of guns and tanks defied the rebel soldiers and forced them to abandon their mad quest for power.

President Buhari calls on the President of Turkey to pursue reconciliation and offers Nigeria’s support to the government and people of Turkey in their hour of trial.

Mallam Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 17, 2016.