My family and I are shocked over ongoing crisis in Niger Republic – Ex-president, Buhari

• Buhari had previously made a statement about seeking refuge in Niger Republic for “peace” if he faced disturbances from Nigerians in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State
• Buhari raised concerns over the state of democracy in Niger
  

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Former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, expressed his and his family’s profound shock over the recent coup in Niger Republic.

On Wednesday, the country made headlines as military juntas took control, overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum after blocking access to the presidential palace.

It is worth noting that during the final days of his own administration, Buhari had made a statement in which he spoke of seeking refuge in Niger Republic to find “peace” if he ever felt disturbed by Nigerians in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.

Reacting to the coup, Buhari on Twitter on Friday wrote, “As to be expected, I, like millions of other Nigerians, am shocked by the latest turn of events in Niger Republic. Concerns have been raised about the fate of democracy as a system of government in the country and in the wider sub-region, and equally so, about the safety of President Mohammed Bazoum and his family.

“I and my family are as much concerned about these as is everyone else. It is heartening to note that the ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is already dealing effectively with the matter, and our hope and prayers are that the unwanted situation will be completely reversed, and the safety and wellbeing of President Bazoum and his family ensured.”

On Friday the United States of America Vice President, Kamala Harris, spoke to President Bola Tinubu to discuss how to defend West Africa and Sahel democracy.

Harris, who confirmed the call on her Twitter handle on Friday said she also discussed ties between Nigerians and Americans, shared work on global and regional issues and how to promote digital inclusion and economic growth.

Harris had said, “Today, I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria about the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people and our shared work on global and regional issues—from defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel to promoting digital inclusion and economic growth.”

Nigeria’s President Tinubu who is currently the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the US and many other countries across the world have condemned the Niger coup, while there have been expression of fear that the successful coup in Niger could expand the reach of Islamic extremism and Wagner in West Africa.