The 2024 presidential candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has strongly advocated constitutional governance as opposed to coups.
According to him, regardless of any difficult circumstances, the best way citizens should register their pleasure is through the thumb on election days to change the government they do not want.
Mr. Mahama posted on his Facebook page to encourage a peaceful change of government, whilst the nation counts down to the 2024 elections.
The former president stated that “Constitutional governance is still the best; it allows us to peacefully change our leaders if we believe they are not working in the interest of the people. 43 days to go for the verdict of the people.”
His comments come weeks after the military takeover in Niger, led by soldiers belonging to the presidential guard.
The coup has largely been condemned by both local and international bodies, including the United States, France, the European Union and ECOWAS.
In a move to return the country to constitutional rule, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), at its last emergency meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, activated its standby force to invade Niger.
The decision followed an ultimatum given by the military junta to free the constitutionally elected president and return the nation to civil rule.
Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Benin have all said they are willing to send troops into Niger if ECOWAS decides to do so.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have already warned ECOWAS to be tactical in its deployment, though the move may put the fear of God on the coup makers operators.
However, Russia and other superpowers have also warned the ECOWAS not to dare deploy any troops to Niger.
