Gabonese Coup: Democracy Dies When Elections Are Poisoned, Says Sani Shehu

The New Diplomat
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By Ishola Kayode 

Following the coup in Gabon which ousted re-elected President Ali Bongo Ondimba, after Saturday’s election, former Senator Shehu Sani who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate said the Bongo family dominated and destroyed democracy.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Sani, quoting a BBC reporter, said the people of Gabon were genuinely happy and trooping out to show support for the coup.

In his words, “A BBC correspondent just reported people in Gabon are “genuinely” trooping out to the streets in support of the Coup in Libreville.

“The Bongo family dominated and destroyed Democracy. Democracy dies in Africa when elections are poisoned.”

It would be recalled that mutinous soldiers appeared on Gabonese national television, announcing the cancellation of recent election results and the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic”.

Wednesday’s announcement came after President Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64 was re-elected for a third term, in an election the opposition described as a ‘fraud orchestrated’ by the ruling party.

The president has confirmed he is under house arrest and called for help, urging citizens to ‘make noise’.

There have been scenes of celebration in the Gabonese capital, Libreville since the military takeover.

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