President Bola Tinubu sent a clear message to the soldiers holding President Mohamed Bazoum of the Niger Republic prisoner at the presidential palace when he declared that the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, will not allow acts that undermine democratically-elected governments in the area.

In a statement on Wednesday, President Tinubu issued the warning in his capacity as the ECOWAS Chairman, calling the military blockade of the presidential residence in Niamey “unpleasant developments.”

According to a source, angry guardsmen blocked off the President’s home and offices and “refused to release the president” when negotiations failed.

“The army has given them an ultimatum,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s statement read: “I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.

“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.

“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”