‘Nigeria is loading…97%’, Nigerians react, as Nigeriens beat up politicians

Reactions have continued to trail last Wednesday’s military takeover in the West African nation of Niger Republic when military officers attached to the country’s civilian President Mohamed Bazoum forcefully seized government.

According to news reports, the officers seized President Bazoum and blockaded his residence in the capital Niamey on Wednesday. He was subsequently forced to resign as president of the country paving the way for the coup plotters to formally assume control of power.

However, while the international community has called on the coup plotters to reinstate President Bazoum, including latest demands by the United Nations, United States, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeriens on their part have rallied in their thousands in the capital city Niamey in full support of the military takeover.

This is even as the coup plotters, Friday, nominated General Abdourahamane Tiani as the new Head of State, in defiance of a call by ECOWAS resolution issued after an emergency meeting in Abuja demanding a return to democratic rule in the country.

In what appears to a twist to the coup, Nigeriens have in several viral videos descended on their politicians in brutal physical attacks accusing them of misrule and corruption which they claim have caused severity of the country economic hardship on them.

Mob actions have been captured in viral videos across the country as the populace now attack politicians perceived to have had a hand in the economic problems of the citizens.

In one of those videos, a female politician was seriously beaten up as a motorcyclist could be seen deliberately run into her, knocking her to the ground in the process, as people hit her with objects. She was, however, rescued from the mob action by another passerby who ushered her into a parked minivan suspected to belong to her.

Reacting to the molestations meted out to Niger’s politicians in the wake of Wednesday’s coup, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to either condemn or hail Nigeriens for the action, as some claim the same treatment await Nigerian politicians who they claim ‘have committed worse.’

The tweets which were mainly in response to a post made by former senator representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani), who had on his part condemned the action of Nigeriens in attacking their politicians and destroying democracy in the West African country.

Oracle Today newspaper captured some of the tweets posted, Friday, in response to a video of a female politician being physically assaulted by some citizens in the country.

Below are the tweets:

Don Self (@Jerry_sukeys) wrote:

Patiently waiting for that country that has ‘ia’ as a suffix to its ‘Niger’ to start theirs

Engr. Christian Chukwu (@luvinxtain) wrote:

Soonest thats what Nigerian politicians will get. Trust me soonest it will no longer be safe for rouge politician.

Providence_B (@Okwuchu65710168) wrote:

It is what it should be

ariyo muyideen Abidogun (@ariyomuyideena2)

I want such to happen in naija

Sixtus Tray (@SixtusD1)

Nigeria is next in line

Bertrand (@beterand_b) wrote:

E go soon sup for 9ja

Adjeh Caroline (@CarolineAdjeh) wrote:

Nigeria is loading…97%

Comrade Yar’dua (@TheEmmanuel001) wrote:

O ti doju e po

Stephen (@stephen_marve) wrote:

Smile I feel like mentioning a country that deserves this

Oron1st Son (@eyozee_001) wrote:

Impressive

Paul Stone (@mcstone360) wrote:

God when !!! Nigeria need a taste of this

Otitokoro Ayelabola (@apotson4real) wrote:

This should happen to APC ,Nigeria situation is worse

chikwado chris (@chikwadochris) wrote:

This reminds me of good old days when democracy was still working, bad politicians dey collect regular stoning anytime they are identified in public. But now, if u try am dss go kpai u for free

Ugwuanya Jerry (@JerryUgwua32029) wrote:

This is just the beginning

Ibrahim IbnGarba (@Idgarba) wrote:

Too bad.

Oveh Matthew (@MatthewOveh) wrote:

Very good

Chris (@Chris26570936) wrote:

Y’all should be expecting similar film soon

Chuks Godfrey (@cg_chuks) wrote:

I wish this kind of thing will happen in Nigeria one day.

Wada James Adukwu (@james_wada) wrote:

E go reach everybody for Nigeria politicians

Seth (@sethkokori2022) wrote:

It’s coming home

Ejo Onyishi (@EjoOnyishi) wrote:

The same thing will happen in Nigeria if similar incident takes place in this country

Mr. E. Aku Charles. A.A. (@MrRonaldBenjam1) wrote:

Exactly the way forward and the solution to Naija 2day

Rawi XP (@RawiXp) wrote:

Don’t fear sir, @ShehuSani ,we will spare you

Austin ice (@Austin_ice1) wrote:

Can Nigeria replicate this?

The Mayor of Chelmsford(@BIG_SHAQ3) wrote:

It will soon start in Nigeria, ike ekweremadu collected his dose in Germany. I can confidently tell you that 70% of the Nigeria youths in diaspora have too much anger towards the politicians in Nigeria, but one day, the opportunity will present itself for a total judgment.

BEAT VIRUZ (@itsurboy_Slymz) wrote: ·

E go reach una too

Meanwhile, ECOWAS, Friday, demanded the immediate release of President Bazoum by coup plotters who have been holding him hostage since Wednesday.

A military junta declared a successful coup in the Republic of Niger after blocking the country’s presidential palace and seizing power from President Bazoum on Wednesday morning.

The ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Thursday, in a press statement reaffirmed its stand as it condemned the coup, saying that it is a total violation of the democratic principles that underpin the management of political power in the ECOWAS area.

The ECOWAS stated that it “is following with growing concern the developments underway in the Republic of Niger since Wednesday, July 26, 2023, marked by Communiqué No. 1 of the Army Staff, announcing the seizure of power by the Military Command of the Nigerien Armed Forces”.

“ECOWAS vigorously rejects this published Communiqué and condemns this coup, which is in total violation of the democratic principles that underpin the management of political power in the ECOWAS area.

“ECOWAS is for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains the legitimate and legal President of Niger recognised by ECOWAS.

“ECOWAS renews its firm opposition to any change in political power by unconstitutional means and demands a return to constitutional order in Niger without delay and without condition.”

The ECOWAS said it will hold all those involved in the coup responsible for the security and safety of President Bazoum, his family, members of the government and the general public.