By Atoyebi Nike
Nigeria has condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, warning that the takeover endangers democratic progress and regional stability.
In a statement issued by Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government said the coup violates the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which forbids any attempt to seize power outside constitutional processes.
Nigeria expressed solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and urged the swift restoration of democratic order. It called for the immediate release and safety of all individuals detained during the coup and stressed the need to protect election observers still in the country.
The government also appealed for restraint and peaceful dialogue, insisting that the will of the people, expressed through the ballot, must be respected.
Nigeria warned that the coup leaders would be held accountable for actions that threaten the nation’s stability. As a major voice in ECOWAS and the African Union, it pledged to work with regional partners to ensure Guinea-Bissau returns quickly to constitutional rule.
