Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, has strongly denounced the recent military seizure of power in Gabon. Taking to his social media platform, Atiku conveyed a resolute message emphasizing the enduring significance of democracy and democratic governance as the preferred modes of government. He stressed the importance of fostering and upholding these principles.
Atiku recommended that both the ECOWAS and African Union authorities should initiate a pathway of diplomatic engagement. This approach, he suggested, could facilitate the peaceful return of the soldiers to their barracks. Drawing a parallel with a previous situation involving Niger Republic, he underscored the need to utilize diplomatic channels to address the situation effectively.
Expressing his unequivocal condemnation of the coup in Gabon, Atiku noted that the recent incident has contributed to a disturbing tally of eight military takeovers across Central and West Africa since 2020. This trend, in his view, calls for serious introspection. Atiku advocated for a focus on addressing the root causes of such disruptions rather than merely addressing their outward manifestations. He concluded by reiterating his commitment to preserving democratic values and democratic governance across the region.
