Coup d’etat not remedy to disputed elections – Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, a former minister of labour and employment, has cautioned that a coup d’état may not be the answer to contentious elections in Africa and has insisted that it is unacceptable to advocate a coup under any pretext.

Keyamo asked everyone to categorically reject and denounce the coup in the Niger Republic, regardless of whether they were affiliated with the ruling party or the opposition.

The former minister asserted that those who believe they have gained ground by equating the coup with their so-called narrative of a fraudulent election in Nigeria should be aware that they are making a mockery of themselves.

Keyamo said on Saturday that while there are constitutional avenues for pursuing reparation in the case of a contested election, there are none for pursuing remedy in the case of a coup.

“We all have a duty,” he added, “whether as members of the ruling party or the opposition, to categorically reject and denounce the coup in the Niger Republic.

“Those who believe they have gained ground by equating the coup with their pretended story of a fraudulent election in Nigeria should be aware that they are covering their own asses.

A coup overthrows all levels of constitutional governments in a nation, including governments established by the opposition parties themselves at various levels of government after winning elections at those levels, in addition to the President alone.

In reality, people who enjoy using social media to appeal to the mob for “clicks and likes” will be imprisoned if a coup occurs and won’t even have the chance to express their opinions again.

“It will be better for us if we realize sooner rather than later that a coup d’état is not the answer to disputed elections in Africa.

In any case, almost all elections in Africa have been called into question. While there are constitutional ways to get justice in a contested election, there are none for a coup because the Constitution would be suspended in the event of a coup.