Buhari condemns Turkey coup atempt

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other world leaders in condemning the failed coup attempt in Turkey by a group of rebel army officers and men.

About 164 were reportedly killed and 754 injured while the coup attempt lasted.

The president said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu that he was “deeply saddened by reports of a violent attempt to dismantle constitutional authority and disrupt the democratically elected government of Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey.”

“The removal of a democratic government by force is no longer acceptable. Violence can never solve any problem but only complicates them and sets back the progress of democratic societies.”

Buhari noted that the “destabilisation of democratic countries through coups d’état in the 21st century” should be rsisted by all, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is one of Nigeria’s close international partners and sincere supporters in its current war against terrorism, adding that all should resist the

According to the President, “democracy provides peaceful options of changing governments through the ballot box. The ballot box doesn’t require violence to remove any government perceived to have lost its popularity and public support. Despite its limitations, democracy is still better and more durable than a violent change of government.”

He praised the courage and immediate response of ordinary citizens who in face of guns and tanks defied the rebel soldiers and forced them to abandon their mad quest for power.

President Buhari calls on the President of Turkey to pursue reconciliation and offered Nigeria’s support to the government and people of Turkey in their hour of trial.