Niger Republic: The earlier we realise that a coup d’etat is not a solution to disputed elections in Africa, the better for us – Festus Keyamo

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, strongly emphasized that a coup d’état cannot be an acceptable solution to address disputed elections in Africa. He urged all individuals, regardless of their political affiliations, to outrightly reject and condemn the coup that occurred in Niger Republic.

Keyamo also pointed out that those attempting to justify the coup by comparing it to alleged flaws in elections are ultimately harming their own cause. According to him, constitutional means should be pursued to seek redress in cases of disputed elections, as there is no legitimate way 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.

“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.”