Festus Keyamo, a former Minister of Labour and Employment, has warned that a coup d’etat could not be a solution to Africa’s disputed elections, adding that supporting a coup under any guise is unacceptable.
Keyamo asked everyone, whether in the opposition or the ruling party, to vehemently oppose and condemn the coup in Niger Republic.
Those who believe they have made a point by equating the coup to their so-called story of a rigged election in Nigeria, according to the former Minister, are cutting their noses to spite their faces.
Coup: Niger Military Chief Finally Declares Self As Head Of Govt
In a message posted on his verified Twitter account on Saturday, Keyamo indicated that while there are constitutional avenues for seeking redress in a contested election, there is no means to seek redress for a coup
He wrote, “We all have a duty, whether as members of the opposition or the ruling party, to outrightly reject and condemn the coup in Niger Republic.
“Those who think they have scored a point by comparing the coup to their so-called narrative of a flawed election in Nigeria should know that they are cutting their noses to spite their faces. A coup does not overthrow only the President alone; a coup overthrows all levels of constitutional governments in a country, including the governments formed by the Opposition parties themselves at different levels of governments after winning elections at those levels.
“In fact those who take a fancy in appealing to the mob on social media to get ‘clicks and likes’ will be in jail if a coup happens and will not even have such opportunity again to speak their minds.
UPDATE: Niger President, Bazoum Breaks Silence After Coup
“The earlier we realise that a coup d’etat is not a solution to disputed elections in Africa, the better for us. Almost all elections in Africa have always been disputed anyway. Whilst there are constitutional means to seek redress in a disputed election, there is no means to seek redress for a coup, because even the Constitution itself would be suspended when a coup happens.”
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