President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, visited the Nigerian troops stationed in Guinea-Bissau under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force.
He noted that Nigeria is committed to preserving peace and upholding democratic stability in West Africa.
“I am here to show solidarity with you. I want to assure you we are committed to supporting peace and democracy not only in West Africa but around the world,” Tinubu said.
The President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, revealed this in a statement he signed late Saturday, titled ‘President Tinubu arrives Guinea-Bissau for ECOWAS summit, visits Nigerian troops.’
The President, who arrived in the capital city of Bissau ahead of Sunday’s Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, said he is counting on the troops to defend the country’s constitutional order.
President Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau survived a coup attempt on February 1, 2022.
A five-hour gunfight broke out between security forces and armed attackers who tried to break into a government palace where Embaló and members of his cabinet were reportedly meeting.
After the incident, the president revealed that the attackers tried to kill him and his entire cabinet.
It is one of several takeovers or attempted takeovers of power that rocked West Africa since 2019.
Earlier, the governments in Mali, neighbouring Guinea and Burkina Faso had been toppled.
Speaking on Saturday, however, President Tinubu said Nigeria would maintain its oversight role in strengthening democracy as it did in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“Nigeria is a giant that has made its mark in Sierra Leone and Liberia and other places,” he said.
To the troops, Tinubu said, “We count on your support for the defence of constitutional order.
“I heard your allowances have been paid up to date. Nothing else should make you angry.
“We will continue to build a virile force.”
